Chapter 5, Verse 14
न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभु: | न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते ॥14॥
na kartṛtvaṃ na karmāṇi lokasya sṛjati prabhuḥ | na karmaphala-saṃyogaṃ svabhāvastu pravartate
"The Supreme Lord does not create agency, nor does He determine actions for the world; nor does He create the connection between actions and their fruits. It is one's own nature (the modes of material nature) that acts."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 5.14 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 5.14 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse clarifies the relationship between the Divine, the individual soul, and material nature (Prakriti). The 'Prabhu' (Lord or the Atman in its pure state) remains a non-doer. He does not force beings to act in specific ways, nor does He instill the egoistic sense of 'I am the doer' (Kartṛtva). Our actions and our attachment to results are driven by 'Svabhāva'—the habitual nature formed by the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas). Ignorance leads the soul to identify with these natural processes, while wisdom lies in realizing the Self's inherent neutrality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 5.14?
The Supreme Lord does not create agency, nor does He determine actions for the world; nor does He create the connection between actions and their fruits. It is one's own nature (the modes of material nature) that acts.