In Bhagavad Gita 18.13, Krishna asks Arjuna to learn from him the five causes for the accomplishment of all actions, as taught in Sankhya philosophy.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो
कारणानि निबोध मे
साङ्ख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि
सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥ १८-१३ ॥
pañcaitāni mahābāho
kāraṇāni nibodha me
sāṅkhye kṛtānte proktāni
siddhaye sarvakarmaṇām
English transliteration panchaitaani mahaabaaho
kaaranaani nibodha me
saankhye kritaante proktaani
siddhaye sarvakarmanaam ॥ 18.13 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Learn from Me, O mighty-armed, these five causes for the accomplishment of all actions, as declared in the Sankhya doctrine.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पञ्च pañca | five |
| एतानि etāni | these |
| महाबाहो mahābāho | O mighty-armed |
| कारणानि kāraṇāni | causes |
| निबोध nibodha | learn |
| मे me | from Me |
| साङ्ख्ये sāṅkhye | in the Sāṅkhya |
| कृतान्ते kṛtānte | doctrine |
| प्रोक्तानि proktāni | declared |
| सिद्धये siddhaye | for the accomplishment |
| सर्वकर्मणाम् sarvakarmaṇām | of all actions sarva (all) + karmaṇām (actions) |
Word-wise Chanting
- pañ–cai–tā–ni ma–hā–bā–ho 8 syllables pan-chai-taa-ni ma-haa-baa-ho
- kā–ra–ṇā–ni ni–bo–dha me | 8 syllables kaa-ra-naa-ni ni-bo-dha me
- sāṅ–khye kṛ–tān–te prok–tā–ni 8 syllables saan-khye kri-taan-te prok-taa-ni
- sid–dha–ye sar–va–kar–ma–ṇām || 18-13 8 syllables sid-dha-ye sar-va-kar-ma-naam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 13
Context
Krishna analyses the causes of action (18.13–18.17).
Meaning
Following Sāṅkhya analysis, Krishna explains that every action depends on five factors. Understanding them removes the false idea that the Self alone is the doer.
This analysis supports inner freedom: if action depends on many factors, the ego’s claim to be the sole doer is false.
In Practice
Before taking credit or blame for an outcome, consider how many factors contributed to it.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.