Body, doer, tools, effort, grace

adhiṣṭhānaṃ tathā kartā karaṇaṃ ca pṛthagvidhamvividhāśca pṛthakceṣṭā daivaṃ caivātra pañcamam

The body as the base, the doer, the various instruments, the many efforts, and fifth, the divine.

What it means

Krishna names the five causes. The body, the base of action. The doer, the sense of I. The instruments, senses and mind. The many efforts made. And fifth, daiva, the divine, grace, or what we might call factors beyond our control. Every outcome needs all five.

The story

Arjuna can bring body, will, skill and effort to the battle. The fifth factor isn't his to command. Knowing that frees him from carrying everything alone.

In your life

Imagine a farmer who ploughs, plants and waters perfectly, and still needs the rain. Do your four parts well today, and leave the fifth to grace.