Interpretation

The five causes apply universally: to every action of body, speech, or mind — whether the action is right (nyayyam — proper, righteous) or wrong (viparitam — contrary, unrighteous). Even mistaken or harmful actions arise from the interplay of these five factors. This removes both arrogance about virtuous acts ('I alone did this good') and excessive self-blame about errors ('I alone caused this harm'). Understanding the five causes brings equanimity toward both success and failure, both virtue and error.