Chapter 18, Verse 15

Original Sanskrit verse

Transliteration

English translation

Whatever action a person performs with their body, speech, and mind, whether right or wrong, these five are its causes.

— Swami Sivananda

Commentary

Nyayyam Right Not opposed to Dharma conformable to the scriptures justifiable. Viparitam The opposite What is opposite to Dharma and opposed to the scriptures unjustifiable. Even those actions; -- acts like winking and the like which are necessary conditions of life; are indicated by the term the right and the reverse; as they are effects of past Dharma and Adharma. Tasya Hetavah Its Causes The causes of every action. An objector argues In the previous verse it is said that the body; actor; various organs; etc.; are the necessary factors of every action. Why do you then make a distinction in actions by saying whatever action a man does by the body; speech and mindOur answer is In the performance of every action; one of the three -- body; speech or mind -- has a more prominent share than the others while seeing; hearing and other activities which accompany or go along with life are subordinate to that one. Therefore all actions are classified under three groups and are spoken of as done by the body or speech or mind. The fruit of an actions also is enjoyed through the body; speech and mind and one of the three takes a more prominent share than the rest. Therefore; it is proper to say Whatever action a man performs with his body; speech and mind৷৷.

Commentary by Swami Sivananda