Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.18
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना । करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसङ्ग्रहः ॥१८॥
jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ parijñātā trividhā karmacodanā | karaṇaṃ karma karteti trividhaḥ karmasaṅgrahaḥ ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
Knowledge, the object of knowledge and the knower form the threefold impulse to action; instrument, action and agent form its threefold structure.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ज्ञान | jñāna | knowledge |
| ज्ञेय | jñeya | that which is to be known |
| ज्ञानं | jñānaṃ | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| ज्ञेयं | jñeyaṃ | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| परिज्ञाता | parijñātā | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| त्रिविधा | trividhā | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| कर्मचोदना | karmacodanā | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| करणं | karaṇaṃ | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| कर्म | karma | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| कर्तेति | karteti | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| त्रिविधः | trividhaḥ | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| कर्मसङ्ग्रहः | karmasaṅgrahaḥ | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
| १८ | karmasaṅgrahaḥ | [term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl... |
knowledge
that which is to be known
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
[term] in context of Knowledge, the object of knowl...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna distinguishes what prompts action from its practical components. This prepares the evaluation of knowledge, action and agent by the gunas.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"What do you know, seek and use when beginning an action?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What do you know, seek and use when beginning an action?
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.