Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.18 ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना
श्लोक 18.18
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना ।
करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसंग्रहः ॥
jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ parijñātā trividhā karmacodanā |
karaṇaṃ karma karteti trividhaḥ karmasaṃgrahaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
ज्ञान, जानने योग्य वस्तु और जानने वाला, ये तीन कर्म की प्रेरणा हैं। करण, कर्म और कर्ता, ये तीन कर्म के आधार हैं।
Meaning in English
Knowledge, the object of knowledge and the knower are the threefold impulse to action. The instrument, the action and the doer are the threefold basis of action.
Bhagavad Gita 18.18 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| ज्ञेयम् | jñeyam | the object known |
| परिज्ञाता | parijñātā | the knower |
| त्रिविधा | tri-vidhā | threefold |
| कर्मचोदना | karma-codanā | impulse to action |
| करणम् | karaṇam | the instrument |
| कर्म | karma | the act |
| कर्ता | kartā | the doer |
| इति | iti | thus |
| त्रिविधः | tri-vidhaḥ | threefold |
| कर्मसंग्रहः | karma-saṃgrahaḥ | the constituents of action |
Explanation
Knowledge, the thing to be known and the knower make up the threefold impulse to action. The instrument, the act and the doer make up the threefold basis of action. Before we act, we know something and want something; then we act with means toward an end.
This verse frames the long analysis that follows, in which knowledge, action and the doer are each sorted by the three gunas. Shankara explains that knowing comes first and moves a person to act, and that the three elements of action are what actually carry it out. Ramanuja reads it similarly. Modern readers find in it a neat sketch of how cognition leads to deed, which helps explain why Krishna next examines knowledge itself.
भावार्थ
ज्ञान, ज्ञेय और ज्ञाता — ये तीन कर्म की प्रेरणा हैं। करण, कर्म और कर्ता — ये तीन कर्म के आधार हैं।
Living it today
To change how you act, look first at how you see. Better understanding is the real starting point of better action.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.18?
Knowledge, the thing to be known and the knower make up the threefold impulse to action. The instrument, the act and the doer make up the threefold basis of action. Before we act, we know something and want something; then we act with means toward an end.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.18?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.18 in daily life?
To change how you act, look first at how you see. Better understanding is the real starting point of better action.
Reflected on verse 18.18?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.