Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 18.14 अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम्

Sri Krishna Chapter 18, Verse 14 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 18.14

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् ।
विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम् ॥

adhiṣṭhānaṃ tathā kartā karaṇaṃ ca pṛthagvidham |
vividhāśca pṛthakceṣṭā daivaṃ caivātra pañcamam ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

अधिष्ठान (शरीर), कर्ता, अलग-अलग प्रकार के करण (इंद्रियाँ), विविध प्रकार की चेष्टाएँ, और पाँचवाँ दैव (ईश्वरीय विधान)।

Meaning in English

The body (the seat of action), the doer, the various instruments (senses), the many different kinds of effort, and fifth, providence (the divine factor).

Bhagavad Gita 18.14 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
अधिष्ठानम्adhiṣṭhānamthe seat, the body
तथाtathāalso
कर्ताkartāthe doer
करणम्karaṇamthe instruments
चcaand
पृथग्विधम्pṛthag-vidhamof various kinds
विविधाःvividhāḥmanifold
चcaand
पृथक्pṛthakdistinct
चेष्टाःceṣṭāḥefforts, activities
दैवम्daivamthe divine, providence
च एवca evaand also
अत्रatrahere
पञ्चमम्pañcamamthe fifth

Explanation

The five causes are named: the body as the seat of action, the doer, the various instruments such as the senses, the many distinct efforts or movements, and fifth, daiva, the unseen or divine factor. Every action depends on all five working together.

Shankara takes the doer as the ego-sense, the instruments as the senses and mind, the efforts as the vital energies, and daiva as the presiding deities of the senses. Ramanuja reads the doer as the individual self and daiva as the Supreme Lord who dwells within and gives the power to act. Others take daiva as fate or the accumulated force of past karma. All readings agree that the individual will is one factor among several, never the whole story.

भावार्थ

शरीर रूपी आधार, कर्ता, अनेक प्रकार के करण (इन्द्रियाँ), विविध प्रकार की अलग-अलग चेष्टाएँ और पाँचवाँ दैव — ये कर्म के पाँच कारण हैं।

Living it today

Your effort matters, but so do your body, your tools, timing and things beyond your control. Give your best and stay humble about outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.14?

The five causes are named: the body as the seat of action, the doer, the various instruments such as the senses, the many distinct efforts or movements, and fifth, daiva, the unseen or divine factor. Every action depends on all five working together.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.14?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.14 in daily life?

Your effort matters, but so do your body, your tools, timing and things beyond your control. Give your best and stay humble about outcomes.

Reflected on verse 18.14?

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