Behind every deed, five causes

śarīravāṅmanobhiryatkarma prārabhate naraḥnyāyyaṃ vā viparītaṃ vā pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ

Whatever a person begins with body, speech or mind, whether right or wrong, these five are its causes.

What it means

Krishna says the five causes are behind every action, of body, of speech, of mind, whether the action is right or wrong. This doesn't remove responsibility. We still choose. But it removes the exaggerated sense that I alone made everything happen.

The story

Arjuna sees that his opponents' actions, too, came from many causes, upbringing, pressure, fear. It softens his heart without excusing wrongs.

In your life

Maybe you know someone who snapped at you after a terrible week. Their words had many causes. Hold them responsible, and still be a little kinder in how you respond.