Synonyms pañca—five; etāni—all these; mahā-bāho—O mighty-armed one; kāraṇāni—causes; nibodha—just understand; me—from Me; sāṅkhye—in the Vedic literature; kṛtānte—in the conclusion; proktāni—stated; siddhaye—for the accomplishment; sarva—all; karmaṇām—of activities. adhiṣṭhānam—the place of action; tathā—as also; kartā—the doer; karaṇam—the senses; ca—and; pṛthag-vidham—of different kinds; vividhāḥ—various; ca—and; pṛthak—separate; ceṣṭāḥ—endeavors; daivam—the Supersoul; ca—also; eva—certainly; atra—in this; pañcamam—the fifth.

Translation O mighty-armed Arjuna, according to the Vedic injunctions there are five causes for the accomplishment of all action. Now learn of these from Me. 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 causes of action.

Synonyms na—not; tat—that; asti—there is; pṛthivyām—on the earth; vā—or; divi—in the higher planetary systems; deveṣu—amongst the demigods; vā—or; punaḥ—again; sattvam—existence; prakṛti-jaiḥ—born of material nature; muktam—liberated; yat—which; ebhiḥ—by this; syāt—is; tribhiḥ—by the three; guṇaiḥ—modes of material nature.

Translation There is no being existing, either here or among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, which is freed from these three modes born of material nature.

Synonyms brāhmaṇa—of the brāhmaṇas; kṣatriya—the kṣatriyas; viśām—and the vaiśyas; śūdrāṇām—of the śūdras; ca—and; param-tapa—O chastiser of the enemies; karmāṇi—the activities; pravibhaktāni—are divided; svabhāva—their own nature; prabhavaiḥ—born of; guṇaiḥ—by the modes of material nature.

Translation Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras are distinguished by the qualities born of their own natures in accordance with the material modes, O chastiser of the enemy.

Synonyms śamaḥ—peacefulness; damaḥ—self-control; tapaḥ—austerity; śaucam—purity; kṣāntiḥ—tolerance; ārjavam—honesty; eva—certainly; ca—and; jñānam—knowledge; vijñānam—wisdom; āstikyam—religiousness; brahma—of a brāhmaṇa; karma—activity; svabhāva-jam—born of his own nature.

Translation Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness—these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work.

Synonyms śauryam—heroism; tejaḥ—power; dhṛtiḥ—determination; dākṣyam—resourcefulness; yuddhe—in battle; ca—and; api—also; apalāyanam—not fleeing; dānam—generosity; īśvara—of leadership; bhāvaḥ—the nature; ca—and; kṣātram—of a kṣatriya; karma—duty; svabhāva-jam—born of his own nature.

Translation Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the kṣatriyas.

Synonyms kṛṣi—farming; gau-rakṣya—cow protection; vāṇijyam—commerce; vaiśya—of the vaiśyas; karma—activity; svabhāva-jam—born of his own nature; paricaryā—service; ātmakam—natural; karma—work; śūdrasya—of the śūdras; api—also; svabhāva-jam—born of his own nature.

Translation Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaiśyas, and for the śūdras there are labor and service to others.

Synonyms śreyān—better; sva-dharmaḥ—one’s own occupation; viguṇaḥ—imperfectly performed; para-dharmāt—than another’s occupation; sv-anuṣṭhitāt—perfectly done; svabhāva-niyatam—prescribed according to one’s nature; karma—work; kurvan—performing; na—never; āpnoti—achieves; kilbiṣam—sinful reactions.

Translation It is better to engage in one’s own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another’s occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties prescribed according to one’s nature are never affected by sinful reactions.

Synonyms saha-jam—born simultaneously; karma—work; kaunteya—O son of Kuntī; sa-doṣam—with fault; api—although; na—never; tyajet—one should give up; sarva-ārambhāḥ—all attempts; hi—certainly; doṣeṇa—with fault; dhūmena—by smoke; agniḥ—fire; iva—as; āvṛtāḥ—covered.

Translation Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore one should not give up the work born of his nature, O son of Kuntī, even if such work is full of fault.

Synonyms brahma-bhūtaḥ—being one with the Absolute; prasanna-ātmā—fully joyful; na—never; śocati—laments; na—never; kāṅkṣati—desires; samaḥ—equally disposed; sarveṣu—to all; bhūteṣu—living entities; mad-bhaktim—devotional service unto Me; labhate—gains; parām—transcendental.

Translation One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.

Synonyms bhaktyā—by devotional service; mām—Me; abhijānāti—one can know; yāvān—as much as; yaḥ—who; ca—also; asmi—I am; tattvataḥ—in truth; tataḥ—thereafter; mām—Me; tattvataḥ—in truth; jñātvā—knowing; viśate—he enters; tat—into that; anantaram—thereafter.

Translation One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God.

Synonyms mat-cittaḥ—conscious of Me; sarva—all; durgāṇi—impediments; mat-prasādāt—by My mercy; tariṣyasi—you will overcome; atha—if; cet—if; tvam—you; ahaṅkārāt—from false ego; na—not; śroṣyasi—do hear; vinaṅkṣyasi—you will be lost.

Translation If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.

Synonyms īśvaraḥ—the Supreme Lord; sarva-bhūtānām—of all living entities; hṛd-deśe—in the location of the heart; arjuna—O Arjuna; tiṣṭhati—resides; bhrāmayan—causing to travel; sarva-bhūtāni—all living entities; yantra—on a machine; ārūḍhāni—being seated; māyayā—by the material energy.

Translation The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.

Synonyms iti—thus; te—unto you; jñānam—knowledge; ākhyātam—described; guhyād—than confidential; guhyataram—still more confidential; mayā—by Me; vimṛśya—deliberating; etat—on this; aśeṣeṇa—fully; yathā—as; icchasi—you like; tathā—so; kuru—do.

Translation Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.

Synonyms mat-manāḥ—thinking of Me; bhava—become; mat-bhaktaḥ—My devotee; mat-yājī—worship Me; mām—unto Me; namaskuru—offer obeisances; mām—unto Me; eva—certainly; eṣyasi—you will come; satyam—truly; te—to you; pratijāne—I promise; priyaḥ—dear; asi—you are; me—to Me.

Translation Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.

Synonyms sarva-dharmān—all varieties of religion; parityajya—abandoning; mām—unto Me; ekam—only; śaraṇam—surrender; vraja—go; aham—I; tvā—you; sarva—all; pāpebhyaḥ—from sinful reactions; mokṣayiṣyāmi—deliver; mā—not; śucaḥ—worry.

Translation Abandon all varieties of dharma and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

Synonyms idam—this; te—by you; na—never; atapaskāya—to one who is not austere; na—neither; abhaktāya—to one who is not a devotee; kadācana—at any time; na—nor; ca—also; aśuśrūṣave—to one who is not engaged in devotional service; vācyam—to be spoken; na—never; ca—also; mām—unto Me; yaḥ—who; abhyasūyati—is envious.

Translation This confidential knowledge may never be explained to those who are not austere, devoted, engaged in devotional service, or who are envious of Me.

Synonyms yaḥ—one who; idam—this; paramam—most; guhyam—confidential; mat-bhakteṣu—amongst My devotees; abhidhāsyati—explains; bhaktim—devotional service; mayi—unto Me; parām—transcendental; kṛtvā—doing; mām—unto Me; eva—certainly; eṣyati—comes; asaṁśayaḥ—without doubt.

Translation For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.

Synonyms na—never; ca—and; tasmāt—than him; manuṣyeṣu—among men; kaścit—anyone; me—to Me; priya-kṛttamaḥ—more dear; bhavitā—will become; na—nor; ca—also; me—to Me; tasmāt—than him; anyaḥ—another; priyataraḥ—dearer; bhuvi—in this world.

Translation There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear to Me.

Synonyms adhyesyate—will study; ca—also; yaḥ—who; imam—this; dharma-yaṁ—sacred; mama—My; saṁvādam—conversation; śraddhāvān—with faith; anasūyaḥ—without envy; ca—also; muktaḥ—liberated; syāt—becomes; sarva—all; pāpebhyaḥ—from sinful reactions.

Translation And one who listens with faith and without envy becomes free from sinful reactions and attains to the beautiful planets where the pious dwell.

Synonyms arjunaḥ uvāca—Arjuna said; naṣṭaḥ—dispelled; mohaḥ—illusion; smṛtiḥ—memory; labdhā—regained; tvat-prasādāt—by Your mercy; mayā—by me; acyuta—O infallible Kṛṣṇa; sthitaḥ—situated; asmi—I am; gata-sandehaḥ—all doubts removed; kariṣye—I shall execute; vacanam—order; tava—Your.

Translation Arjuna said: My dear Kṛṣṇa, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.

Synonyms yatra—where; yogeśvaraḥ—the master of mysticism; kṛṣṇaḥ—Lord Kṛṣṇa; yatra—where; pārthaḥ—the son of Pṛthā; dhanur-dharaḥ—the carrier of the bow and arrow; tatra—there; śrīḥ—opulence; vijayaḥ—victory; bhūtiḥ—exceptional power; dhruvā—certainly; nītiḥ—morality; matiḥ mama—my opinion.

Translation Wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.