Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18: Freedom through Renunciation
Bhagavad Gita 18.13
पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे ।
सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥
pañcaitāni mahābāho kāraṇāni nibodha me | sāṃkhye kṛtānte proktāni siddhaye sarvakarmaṇām ||
Learn from me, mighty-armed Arjuna, the five causes behind the accomplishment of every action, as they are taught in the Sankhya doctrine.
Modern context
Krishna now explains that every action has five causes, not one. This is the foundation for releasing the ego's claim to be the sole doer. When something goes well or badly, it is never the work of one factor alone. Seeing the many causes behind any outcome makes it easier to let go of both pride and guilt.