The action that a man initiates with body, speech or mind, whether right or wrong, these five are its causes.

All action, prārabhate — initiated — through three means: śarīra (body), vāk (speech), manas (mind). It can be nyāyyam (correct, just) or viparītam (opposite, incorrect).

The five factors are hetavaḥ — causes, conditions. The jīva is participant, not absolute author. This moderates the arrogance of “I do” and the depression of “everything is my fault.”