In Bhagavad Gita 18.18, Krishna says knowledge, the object of knowledge and the knower are the threefold impulse to action; the instrument, the action and the agent are its threefold basis.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता
त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना
करणं कर्म कर्तेति
त्रिविधः कर्मसङ्ग्रहः ॥ १८-१८ ॥
jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ parijñātā
trividhā karmacodanā
karaṇaṃ karma karteti
trividhaḥ karmasaṅgrahaḥ
English transliteration jnaanam jneyam parijnaataa
trividhaa karmachodanaa
karanam karma karteti
trividhah karmasangrahah ॥ 18.18 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Knowledge, the object of knowledge and the knower are the threefold impulse to action. The instrument, the action and the agent are the threefold constituents of action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| ज्ञेयम् jñeyam | the object of knowledge |
| परिज्ञाता parijñātā | the knower |
| त्रिविधा trividhā | threefold |
| कर्मचोदना karmacodanā | impulse to action karma (action) + codanā (impulse) |
| करणम् karaṇam | the instrument |
| कर्म karma | the action |
| कर्ता kartā | the agent |
| इति iti | thus |
| त्रिविधः trividhaḥ | threefold |
| कर्मसङ्ग्रहः karmasaṅgrahaḥ | constituents of action karma (action) + saṅgrahaḥ (constituents) |
Word-wise Chanting
- jñā–naṃ jñe–yaṃ pa–ri–jñā–tā 8 syllables jnaa-nam jne-yam pa-ri-jnaa-taa
- tri–vi–dhā kar–ma–co–da–nā | 8 syllables tri-vi-dhaa kar-ma-cho-da-naa
- ka–ra–ṇaṃ kar–ma kar–te–ti 8 syllables ka-ra-nam kar-ma kar-te-ti
- tri–vi–dhaḥ kar–ma–saṅ–gra–haḥ || 18-18 8 syllables tri-vi-dhah kar-ma-san-gra-hah
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 18
Context
Krishna introduces the threefold analysis of knowledge, action and agent (18.18–18.28).
Meaning
Every action begins with three factors that impel it: jñāna, knowledge; jñeya, what is known; and parijñātā, the knower. It is carried out through three components: karaṇa, the instruments; karma, the act; and kartā, the doer.
Understanding these components prepares the analysis that follows, showing how each takes on the colour of the guṇas.
In Practice
Before an action, notice what you know, what you aim at, and how you will carry it out.
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.