Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.14

Strange Prayer – In Gita Verse 18.14 The place of action [the body], the performer, the various senses, the many different kinds of endeavour, and ultimately the Supersoul – these are the five factors of action.

Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.14 elucidates that action comprises five essential factors: the place of action (the body), the performer, the various senses, the different kinds of endeavour, and ultimately the Supersoul. Understanding these components is crucial for comprehending the nature of actions and their outcomes.

There are five fundamental reasons for all events. Firstly, there is always a basis for any incident; nothing occurs without a foundation. Secondly, there must be a doer; without an agent, the event cannot transpire. Thirdly, tools or instruments are necessary; without their support, the incident cannot take place. Fourthly, effort is indispensable; without exertion, the event cannot happen. Lastly, the accumulated karmas of many births, referred to as Daiva/Divine, also contribute to the occurrence of events. These constitute the five bases of karma.

The Upanishads provide further insight into this concept. They state that matter and mind are two states of the same phenomenon: matter when asleep and mind when awakened. According to the Upanishads, there is no duality between body and consciousness. They emphasise the importance of strengthening the senses to become more mature, strong, sensitive, and penetrating. Rishi prays “my senses should be strengthened to become more mature, more strong, more sensitive, more penetrating.” Enhanced senses allow one to perceive the divine in all aspects of existence, even in matter such as trees or stones.

The Upanishad prayer, “Let my senses be strengthened, so I can penetrate your mystery,” reflects a desire to overcome the limitations of weak or blind senses. The prayer acknowledges that the divine mystery is present but remains unseen due to the inadequacy of human perception. It seeks to make the senses more alive, strong, and acute to delve deeper into the pervasive divine mystery.

This is a Strange Prayer, both unusual and profoundly beautiful. It challenges the misconception that senses are an enemy to spirituality, a notion that has been ingrained in many minds. Contrary to the belief that deadening the senses leads to spirituality, the Upanishads propose a life-affirming approach that views heightened sensory awareness as a path to spiritual growth.

The Upanishads advocate for a heightened state of sensory awareness, asserting that sufficiently penetrating senses can perceive consciousness even within inanimate objects. This perception hinges on either awakening the object’s consciousness or perfecting one’s senses. The Upanishads’ prayer for the strengthening of the senses aims to penetrate the mysteries of existence, revealing the divine in all things.

This perspective contrasts with the notion that senses are adversaries to spirituality and should be suppressed. The Upanishads argue that one should become more alive and sensitive. When the body is fully alive and awakened, it transcends its physical form and becomes pure energy and consciousness.

This transformation is not about suppression but about enhancing one’s sensory capabilities to understand the divine mystery. The rishi’s prayer is for stronger senses to perceive the unseeable and unknowable. The goal is to become deeply connected with every particle of the body, filled with energy and consciousness, to truly understand and feel the divine mystery.

Those who have perceived the divine mystery were among the most sensitive minds. In contrast, ascetics who deaden their bodies and destroy their sensory instruments may become enclosed and self-centred, but they do not achieve true enlightenment. This path leads to spiritual isolation and egoism.

The rishi advocates for a life-affirming approach, where one becomes more alive and connected with the body. By doing so, one can touch and understand the essence of existence. This deep connection allows for the perception of the divine in all things, leading to total freedom.

Krishna’s teaching emphasises the importance of recognising and integrating the five factors of action. By becoming self-aware and accepting all aspects of oneself, one can achieve a balanced and enlightened state. This holistic approach is essential for understanding the true nature of actions and their effects.