Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.15
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः । न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः ॥१५॥
śarīravāṅmanobhiryatkarma prārabhate naraḥ | nyāyyaṃ vā viparītaṃ vā pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ ||15||
Complete Shloka Translation
Whatever action a person undertakes through body, speech or mind, whether right or otherwise, these five are its causes.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शरीर | śarīra | body |
| वाच् | vāc | speech |
| शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म | śarīravāṅmanobhiryatkarma | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| प्रारभते | prārabhate | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| नरः | naraḥ | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| न्याय्यं | nyāyyaṃ | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| वा | vā | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| विपरीतं | viparītaṃ | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| पञ्चैते | pañcaite | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| तस्य | tasya | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| हेतवः | hetavaḥ | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
| १५ | hetavaḥ | [term] in context of Whatever action a person under... |
body
speech
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
[term] in context of Whatever action a person under...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The fivefold analysis applies to both appropriate and inappropriate action. Explaining causes is distinct from excusing wrongdoing.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Have you considered the conditions behind your words and actions?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Have you considered the conditions behind your words and actions?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.