पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे ।
सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥
सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे महाबाहो कर्मोंका अन्त करनेवाले सांख्यसिद्धान्तमें सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंकी सिद्धिके लिये ये पाँच कारण बताये गये हैं, इनको तू मेरेसे समझ ॥
English
O mighty-armed one, learn from Me these five causes, taught in the Sankhya system, for the accomplishment of all actions.
What this verse means
Krishna asks Arjuna to understand the five causes that make any action possible. Human action is not as simple as one person deciding and doing everything alone.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still trapped in confusion about action and renunciation. Krishna now explains that every action depends on five causes, preparing Arjuna to see that doing is more complex than ego claims.
Why this verse still matters
You replay a mistake at 2 a.m. and ask, “How could I have done that?” Or you take full credit for a win. This verse widens the frame: one person is rarely the whole cause.
The takeaway
It loosens the grip of self-blame and pride. Not everything that happens is carried by one doer.
Word-by-word translation
पञ्च (five) / एतानि (these) / महाबाहो (O mighty-armed one) / कारणानि (causes) / निबोध (understand) / मे (from Me) / सांख्ये (in Sankhya) / कृतान्ते (in the doctrine of conclusion) / प्रोक्तानि (are said) / सिद्धये (for accomplishment) / सर्वकर्मणाम् (of all actions)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: sankhya (11 verses), karma (11 verses)