The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation

Krishna introduces the teaching about the five causes of action. 'Pañcaitāni mahā-bāho kāraṇāni nibodha me'—O mighty-armed one (mahā-bāho), know (nibodha) these five causes (pañca etāni kāraṇāni) from Me (me). 'Sāṅkhye kṛtānte proktāni'—they were declared (proktāni) in Sankhya philosophy (sāṅkhye) at the conclusion (kṛtānte). 'Siddhaye sarvakarmaṇām'—for the accomplishment (siddhaye) of all actions (sarvakarmaṇām). This sets up the teaching about the five factors that contribute to every action: the body, the doer, the various instruments, the different kinds of effort, and the Supreme. Understanding these helps you see that action is complex, involving multiple factors, and that you're not the sole doer. This prepares for the teaching about the three kinds of action according to gunas that will follow.