Jiva Vidya

Gita Library / Moksha-Sanyasa Yoga

Chapter 18, Verse 15

शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नर: | न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतव: ॥15॥
śharīra-vāṅ-manobhir yat karma prārabhate naraḥ | nyāyyaṁ vā viparītaṁ vā pañchaite tasya hetavaḥ
"Whatever action a man performs with the body, speech and mind, be it just or its reverse, of it these five are the causes."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.15 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.

Detailed Meaning

This verse categorizes all human actions into three types based on the instruments used: Kāyik (physical body), Vāchik (speech), and Mānasik (mind). Lord Krishna clarifies that every single action, whether it aligns with Dharma (nyāyyaṁ) or opposes it (viparītaṁ), is produced by the five factors mentioned in the previous verse (the body, the doer, the senses, the effort, and the divine). The profound implication here is the dissolution of 'Ahamkara' or the ego of doership. While the soul is the conscious driver (the 'jiva' who initiates), it is not the sole cause. Understanding this prevents the soul from becoming arrogant in success or despondent in failure, as it recognizes the collaborative nature of existence and the grace of the Divine that energizes the instruments of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core message of Gita 18.15?
Whatever action a man performs with the body, speech and mind, be it just or its reverse, of it these five are the causes.

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