FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 16.24

तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥ २४ ॥
tasmāc chāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te
[tasmaach chaastram pramaanam te]
kāryākārya-vyavasthitau
[kaaryaakaarya-vyavasthitau]
jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktaṁ
[jnaatvaa shaastra-vidhaanoktam]
karma kartum ihārhasi
[karma kartum ihaarhasi]
Word-for-word
tasmāt — therefore śāstram — the scriptures pramāṇam — evidence te — your kārya — duty akārya — and forbidden activities vyavasthitau — in determining jñātvā — knowing śāstra — of scripture vidhāna — the regulations uktam — as declared karma — work kartum — do iha — in this world arhasi — you should .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tasmāc chāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te
tasmāt
therefore
kāryākārya-vyavasthitau
jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktaṁ
śāstram
the scriptures
pramāṇam
evidence
te
your
karma kartum ihārhasi
kārya
duty
akārya
and forbidden activities
vyavasthitau
in determining
jñātvā
knowing
śāstra
of scripture
vidhāna
the regulations
uktam
as declared
karma
work
kartum
do
iha
in this world
arhasi
you should .
Important Words
  • śāstram — the scriptures
    Nominative — śāstra as subject. From the root śās — to instruct, to govern. Śāstra is that which governs; the verse establishes it as the pramāṇa, the means of knowledge.
  • pramāṇam — evidence
    Pra-māṇa — that by which something is measured or known. The technical term in Indian epistemology for a valid source of knowledge. The verse names śāstra as Arjuna's pramāṇa for distinguishing duty from non-duty.
  • kārya — duty
    Gerundive of kṛ — to be done. Kārya: that which ought to be done. Sanskrit grammar carries the obligation in the verb-form itself.
  • jñātvā — knowing
    Gerund of jñā — to know. 'Having known.' The participle is sequential: first know scripture's instruction, then act. The order is non-negotiable. Action without prior śāstra-knowledge is exactly what verse 23 condemned.
  • kartum — do
    Infinitive of kṛ — 'in order to do.' Scripture's regulations are not for meditation alone; they are for doing. The chapter ends not at theory but at action.
  • arhasi — you should
    Second-person singular of arh — to be worthy of, to deserve. Arhasi: 'you are fit for this, this is yours to do.' A delicate verb — not 'you must' but 'this is what is fitting for you.' The chapter's closing word is dignified, not commanding.
One should therefore understand what is duty and what is not duty by the regulations of the scriptures. Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may gradually be elevated.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
The chapter closes with a calm, decisive instruction. Since impulse misleads, let śāstra be Arjuna's pramāṇa — his measuring stick — for what to do and what to avoid. First learn what scripture prescribes; then act on it, here, in this very life. The Gītā is itself such śāstra.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
Foundational for the tradition's epistemology of action: śāstra-pramāṇya — scripture as authoritative for kārya / akārya. 'Tasmāt' picks up the failed alternative of 16.23 (kāma-kāra), and 'iha' anchors the prescription in this very world. Commentators across schools converge: ego-driven decision is unreliable; scripture, learned with a teacher, frames action. Chapter 17 immediately unpacks what 'śāstra-vidhi' looks like.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
तस्मात् कार्य-अकार्य-व्यवस्थितौ ते शास्त्रम् प्रमाणम् (अस्ति); शास्त्र-विधान-उक्तम् कर्म ज्ञात्वा इह कर्तुम् अर्हसि ।
tasmāt kārya-akārya-vyavasthitau te śāstram pramāṇam (asti); śāstra-vidhāna-uktam karma jñātvā iha kartum arhasi |
Therefore, in determining what is to be done and what is not, scripture is your authority. Knowing the action declared by the rule of scripture, you ought to perform it here (in this world).
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
तस्मात् शास्त्रम् प्रमाणम् ते कार्य-अकार्य-व्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्र-विधान-उक्तम् कर्म कर्तुम् इह अर्हसि ॥
tasmāt śāstram pramāṇam te kārya-akārya-vyavasthitau | jñātvā śāstra-vidhāna-uktam karma kartum iha arhasi ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
तस्मात् tasmāt तद् pron. (pronoun) abl.sg. (ablative singular)n. therefore
शास्त्रम् śāstram शास्त्र (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) scripture, śāstra
प्रमाणम् pramāṇam प्रमाण (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) authority, valid means of knowing
ते te अस्मद् pron. (pronoun) gen./dat.sg. (dative singular) for you
कार्य-अकार्य-व्यवस्थितौ kārya-akārya-vyavasthitau कार्य (n.) + अकार्य (n.) + व्यवस्थिति (f.) loc.sg. (locative singular), dvandva + tatpuruṣa cpd. (compound) in (the matter of) determining what should and should not be done
ज्ञात्वा jñātvā √ज्ञा abs. (absolutive) having known
शास्त्र-विधान-उक्तम् śāstra-vidhāna-uktam शास्त्र (n.) + विधान (n.) + उक्त p.p.p. (past passive participle) acc.sg. (accusative singular)n., tatpuruṣa cpd. (compound) declared by the regulation of scripture
कर्म karma कर्मन् (n.) acc.sg. (accusative singular) action, work
कर्तुम् kartum √कृ inf. (infinitive) to do, perform
इह iha ind. (indeclinable) here (in this world)
अर्हसि arhasi √अर्ह् pres. (present) 2sg.par. (parasmaipada / active voice) you ought, you are fit
Purport

As stated in the Fifteenth Chapter, all the rules and regulations of the Vedas are meant for knowing Kṛṣṇa. If one understands Kṛṣṇa from the Bhagavad-gītā and becomes situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, engaging himself in devotional service, he has reached the highest perfection of knowledge offered by the Vedic literature. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu made this process very easy: He asked people simply to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare and to engage in the devotional service of the Lord and eat the remnants of foodstuff offered to the Deity. One who is directly engaged in all these devotional activities is to be understood as having studied all Vedic literature. He has come to the conclusion perfectly. Of course, for the ordinary persons who are not in Kṛṣṇa consciousness or who are not engaged in devotional service, what is to be done and what is not to be done must be decided by the injunctions of the Vedas . One should act accordingly, without argument. That is called following the principles of śāstra, or scripture. Śāstra is without the four principal defects that are visible in the conditioned soul: imperfect senses, the propensity for cheating, certainty of committing mistakes, and certainty of being illusioned. These four principal defects in conditioned life disqualify one from putting forth rules and regulations. Therefore, the rules and regulations as described in the śāstra – being above these defects – are accepted without alteration by all great saints, ācāryas and great souls. In India there are many parties of spiritual understanding, generally classified as two: the impersonalist and the personalist. Both of them, however, lead their lives according to the principles of the Vedas . Without following the principles of the scriptures, one cannot elevate himself to the perfectional stage. One who actually, therefore, understands the purport of the śāstras is considered fortunate. In human society, aversion to the principles of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of all falldowns. That is the greatest offense of human life. Therefore, māyā, the material energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always giving us trouble in the shape of the threefold miseries. This material energy is constituted of the three modes of material nature. One has to raise himself at least to the mode of goodness before the path to understanding the Supreme Lord can be opened. Without raising oneself to the standard of the mode of goodness, one remains in ignorance and passion, which are the cause of demoniac life. Those in the modes of passion and ignorance deride the scriptures, deride the holy man, and deride the proper understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They disobey the instructions of the spiritual master, and they do not care for the regulations of the scriptures. In spite of hearing the glories of devotional service, they are not attracted. Thus they manufacture their own way of elevation. These are some of the defects of human society which lead to the demoniac status of life. If, however, one is able to be guided by a proper and bona fide spiritual master, who can lead one to the path of elevation, to the higher stage, then one’s life becomes successful. Thus end the Bhaktivedanta Purports to the Sixteenth Chapter of the Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā in the matter of the Divine and Demoniac Natures.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
24. Therefore scripture is the authority in determining what to do and what not to do. Understanding what is stated in the scripture, you should perform actions in this world.
Commentary

This chapter has described how those who follow the scripture attain the supreme goal and those who do not follow scripture go to hell. Thus the commentaries on the sixteenth chapter of the Gītā have been completed for the pleasure of the devotees’ hearts, by the mercy of the ācāryas.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
24. Therefore, scripture is the authority in determining what to do and what not to do. Understanding what is stated in the scripture, you should perform actions in this world.
Commentary

Since the tendency for lust, anger and greed which are contrary to scripture deviate one from the goal of life, scripture in the form of the Vedas, which is perfect, not being written by man, is the authority in matters of what to do and what not to do (pramāṇam). The statements composed by men who are subject to faults such as error [Note: The four faults are bhrama (error), karaṇa pātava (limitation of the senses), pramāda (inattention), and vipralipsā (cheating).] are not authority. Thus the positive and negative injunctions of scripture to do or not do certain things (vidhāna uktam) are stated using the potential mood (you should do this) or with the suffix tavya after a verb (which also means “should do”). Knowing about the prescribed and forbidden actions, you should perform prescribed actions such as fighting and sacrifices in this world of karma (iha), for teaching people, avoiding the forbidden actions. Those fixed in understanding the meaning of the Vedas go to svarga and eternal liberation. Those who reject the Vedas go to hell. This is the conclusion of the sixteenth chapter. Chapter 17

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

Whatever position one is, he should give up lust and greed and he should act accordingly to the rules and regulations of the sastras. This is the basic distinction between divine and demoniac existence ‑ the acceptance of the sastras, and a accordingly. The demoniac are by nature whimsical: 'I do what I want. I am God!'. That is the basic demoniac mentality. The basic devotee mentallity is:' I am surrendered to higher authority, Krsna!'

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

COMMON THEME: These two verses establish the importance of sastric injunctions

Need to follow sastras (16.24) – To control and regulate these demoniac qualities one must follow scriptural injunctions
For the purpose of gradual elevation
Result of not following sastras (16.23) – If one disregards scriptural injunction and acts according to his own whims, there is neither perfection nor happiness nor supreme destination

Focus of Learning

(a) What does sastra-viddhi refer to – It refers to ‘direction of sastras’ as follows:

Injunctions prescribed for different castes and orders for gradual spiritual elevation
Everyone is expected to follow these

(b) Purpose of scriptural rules – Rules are meant for gradual elevation to higher perfectional stage of

devotional service

Apply the knowledge – One may theoretically know all these things, but if one does not apply them then he is known as the lowest of mankind
Know the tattva of the Lord – Even if one follows the rules and regulations but does not come to the understanding of Supreme Lord then all his knowledge is spoiled
Serve the Lord – Even if he accepts the existence of God, if he does not engage himself in the service of the Lord, his attempts are spoiled

(c) Meaning of ‘Kama-kartah’ – defines “acting whimsically”

One who knowingly violates the rule, acts in lust

(d) Destination of “whimsical acts”

Condemned by the Supreme Lord
Cannot have the perfection which is meant for the human life
Importance of rules in Human Life – Rules and regulations are meant to purify one’s existence and attain the real stage of happiness
END OF CHAPTER 16 

(a) Highest perfection of Vedic knowledge – knowing Krishna (Ref. 15.15) and engaging in devotional

service

(b) Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on how to achieve the highest perfection very easily

Simply chant Hare Krishna and engage in Devotional service
Eat the remnants of the Lord

(c) What status one achieves by the above process of devotional service

One is understood to have studied all Vedic literature and has come to the conclusion perfectly

(d) How to purify those not engaged in devotional service

Decide their prescribed duties according to Vedic injunctions – Do’s and Don’t
How to follow scriptures – follow without arguments and alterations

(e) Standard of Vedic Scriptures which make them unquestionable

Free from four defects of conditioned soul
Therefore rules are accepted without alteration by all great saints, acaryas, great souls

(f) Aversion to the principles of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the greatest

offense of human life

Cause of all falldowns in human society
Cause of Maya giving us miseries

(g) Principles of scriptures are a must to achieve perfectional stage

Both Impersonalists and personalists lead lives according to Vedic principles
Who is fortunate – one who actually understands the purport of the sastras

(h) Some of defects of human society which cause demoniac life

Those in passion and ignorance deride the scriptures, holy man and proper understanding of Supreme Personality of Godhead
Inspite of hearing the glories of devotional service, they are not attracted, but they manufacture their own way of elevation

(i) How to elevate and why to elevate

One has to rise at least to the mode of goodness before the path to understanding the Supreme Lord can be opened
One can elevate to a higher stage by the guidance of proper and bona-fide spiritual master

Bhagavad Gita Notes

CHAPTER 16 Appendix

Selected Texts extracted from “Surrender unto Me”

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
16.24 Tasmat, therefore; sastram, the scripure; is te, your; pramanam, authority, the means of knowledge; karya-akarya-vyavasthitau, as regards the determination of what is to be done and what is not to be done. Therefore, jnatva, after understanding; that which is your own karma, duty; sastra-vidhana-uktam, as presented by scriptural injunction-vidhana is the same as vidhi, precept, in the form, 'you should do', 'you should not do'; as presented by that; arhasi, you ought; kartum, to perform; it iha, here. 'Here' is used for pointing out the sphere in which one is intitled to perform his duties. F:gitadataR.K.GitaCHAPTER16.doc Page 1 of 1
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
16.24 Hence, the Sastra is to be the only authority for you in determining what should be done and what should not be done, viz., in deciding what ought to be accepted and what ought not be accepted. You should know, i.e., understand, neither more nor less than what constitutes the truth and the work enjoined in the injunctions of the Sastras which the Highest Reality called the Supreme Person revealed in the Vedas. The Vedic injunctions are supplemented by the Dharma-sastras, the Itihasas and the Puranas. The acts enjoined by them are the means for reaching Him and for pleasing Him. You should perform them; you should accept them alone.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
16.23-24 Yah sastravidhim etc. Tasmat etc. On the other hand, a fall into the hell is [inevitable] for a person who rejects the scriptural injunctions and makes, using his own intellect, an analysis as to what is to be done and what is not to be done. Therefore, don't make a decision with your intellect about what is to be done and what is not to be done.-This is what is intended to be conveyed here.
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
16.24 Therefore, let the scripture be thy authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Having known what is said in the ordinance of the scriptures, thou shouldst act here in this world.
Commentary

16.24 तस्मात् therefore? शास्त्रम् scripture? प्रमाणम् (be) authority? ते they? कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done? ज्ञात्वा having known? शास्त्रविधानोक्तम् what is said in the ordinance of the scriptures? कर्म action? कर्तुम् to do? इह here (in this world)? अर्हसि shouldst.Commentary He who desires the welfare of the Self should not disregard the ?nds of the scriptures. A man who is anxious to obtain eternal bliss should respect the Vedas and the Smritis which lay down the code of right conduct. He should readily renounce whatever the scriptures teach him to abandon and accept whatever he is directed to accept.He who is thus entirely devoted to the Vedas cannot meet with misfortune? grief or delusion. No mother is more kind than the scriptures for they restrain us from doing evil and bestow on us the greatest good (liberation or Moksha). Therefore treat the scriptures with great respect. Renounce all that the scriptures prohibit. Whatever is worthy of being done? that thou shouldst do thoroughly with all thy heart and all thy strength.Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita? the science of the Eternal? the scripture of Yoga? the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna? ends the sixteenth discourse entitledThe Yoga of the Division BetweenThe Divine and the Demoniacal. ,

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
16.24 Therefore, the scripture is your authority as regards the determination of what is to be done and what is not to be done. After understanding (your) duty as presented by scriptural injunction, you ought to perform (your duty) here.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
16.24 Therefore whenever there is doubt whether thou shouldst do a thing or not, let the scriptures guide thy conduct. In the light of the scriptures shouldst thou labour the whole of thy life."
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)
Related verses
BG 16.23 BG 15.15 BG 18.66 SB 1.1.2 SB 1.19.37 SB 11.19.27 CC Madhya 20.352 CC Ādi 7.132 CC Madhya 22.113 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.2.12BRS 1.2.101
Concepts
Maya
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Therefore, scripture is the authority; understand by it what is duty and what is not — perform your prescribed duty as instructed.
Practical Applications
  • Use scripture to clarify duty in concrete situations.
  • Don't let modern advice displace scripture.
  • Honor your guru's interpretation as the operating bridge.
Reflection Questions
  • What scripture-passage clarifies my current duty?
  • What advice has been competing with it?
Analogy

A compass placed in the hand of one who is about to travel. The compass does not walk for you; it tells you where north is. Kṛṣṇa places śāstra in Arjuna's hand and says: hold this, and act. The chapter ends not with prohibition but with a tool.

Stories
Mahārāja Parīkṣit's Last Week

Cursed to die in seven days, Parīkṣit did not consult his own preferences about how to spend them. He sat at the bank of the Gaṅgā and asked the assembled sages: what does śāstra say a person facing death should do? The answer came through Śukadeva Gosvāmī as the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam itself.

The verse's instruction — jñātvā śāstra-vidhāna-uktam karma kartum iha arhasi — appears in his life as a finished pattern. He knew the scripture's instruction, he then performed the action prescribed (śravaṇa), and he attained the supreme destination at the end of the seventh day.

Arjuna at the Verse's End

By chapter 16's close, the Gītā has placed Arjuna at exactly the position this verse names. Two more chapters remain. The seventeenth will analyze the modes within scriptural conduct; the eighteenth will resolve everything in the call to surrender. But this verse is the operating instruction the disciple must hold across all that follows.

When Arjuna finally says karyiṣye vacanaṁ tava (18.73) — 'I shall act on Your word' — he is doing exactly what 16.24 prescribes. The chapter on the demoniac ends with the only weapon against it: the disciple's act of taking scripture as pramāṇa.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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