โศลก 18.1818.118.218.318.418.518.618.718.818.918.1018.1118.1218.1318.1418.1518.1618.1718.1818.1918.2018.2118.2218.2318.2418.2518.2618.2718.2818.2918.3018.3118.3218.3318.3418.3518.3618.3718.3818.3918.4018.4118.4218.4318.4418.4518.4618.4718.4818.4918.5018.5118.5218.5318.5418.5518.5618.5718.5818.5918.6018.6118.6218.6318.6418.6518.6618.6718.6818.6918.7018.7118.7218.7318.7418.7518.7618.7718.78

Knowledge, the knowable and the knower form the threefold impulse to action; the organ, the action and the agent form the threefold basis of action.

Knowledge, the object of knowledge and the knower make up the threefold impulse to action; the instrument, the action and the doer make up the threefold basis of action.

Krishna gives a compact analysis of what moves and constitutes action. Knowledge, the object known and the knower together form the threefold impulse to act. The instrument, the act itself and the doer form the threefold structure of action. The verse shows how action arises from understanding and is carried out through means. It prepares for the next passage, where knowledge, action and doer are each examined in light of the three qualities (guṇa).