Verse 18.15 : Moksha Sanyasa Yoga "Liberation and Renunciation"
Verse 15 of 78
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The Translation
“Whatever action a person undertakes with body, speech, or mind, whether right or wrong—these five are its causes.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna emphasizes the universal application of the five causes of action. In Vedic ethics, action (karma) is not limited to physical movement; speech and thought are also actions that generate moral and psychological consequences.
Practical Application
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Bring awareness to your speech and thoughts today, recognizing that they are actions that have consequences just like physical deeds.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- How does realizing that thoughts (mind) and words (speech) are also actions governed by these five causes change your view of responsibility?
- Why is it important to see that even unrighteous actions (viparītaṃ) are governed by the same natural factors?
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18.15
शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः
Shankara comments that all human action is performed through the three media: body, speech, and mind. 'Nyāyyaṃ' is action in accordance with scriptures, and 'viparītaṃ' is action motivated by passion or ignorance. The five causes operate in both, proving that the Self is independent of moral and physical fluctuations.