BHAGAVAD-GITA 18:14

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 18:14

 

adhisthanam tatha karta

karanam ca prthag-vidham

vividhas ca prthak cesta

daivam caivatra pancamam

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

adhisthanam--the place; tatha--also; karta--the worker;

karanam--instruments; ca--and; prthak-vidham--of different kinds;

vividhah--various; ca--and; prthak--separate; cestah--the endeavors;

daivam--the Supreme; ca--also; eva--certainly; atra--here;

pancamam--the fifth.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The place of action [the body], the performer, the various senses, the

many different kinds of endeavor, and ultimately the Supersoul--these

are the five factors of action.

 

PURPORT

 

The word adhisthanam refers to the body. The soul within the body is

acting to bring about the results of activity and is therefore known

as karta, "the doer." That the soul is the knower and the doer is

stated in the sruti. Esa hi drasta srasta (Prasna Upanisad 4.9). It is

also confirmed in the Vedanta-sutra by the verses jno 'ta eva (2.3.18)

and karta sastrarthavattvat (2.3.33). The instruments of action are

the senses, and by the senses the soul acts in various ways. For each

and every action there is a different endeavor. But all one's

activities depend on the will of the Supersoul, who is seated within

the heart as a friend. The Supreme Lord is the supercause. Under these

circumstances, he who is acting in Krsna consciousness under the

direction of the Supersoul situated within the heart is naturally not

bound by any activity. Those in complete Krsna consciousness are not

ultimately responsible for their actions. Everything is dependent on

the supreme will, the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.