Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 16.24 तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते
श्लोक 16.24
तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ ।
ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥
tasmācchāstraṃ pramāṇaṃ te kāryākāryavyavasthitau |
jñātvā śāstravidhānoktaṃ karma kartumihārhasi ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
इसलिए क्या करना चाहिए और क्या नहीं, इसका निर्णय करने में शास्त्र ही तुम्हारे लिए प्रमाण है। शास्त्र में बताए गए विधान को जानकर तुम्हें यहाँ कर्म करना चाहिए।
Meaning in English
Therefore let scripture be your authority in deciding what should and should not be done. Knowing what the scriptures prescribe, you should act accordingly here.
Bhagavad Gita 16.24 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| शास्त्रम् | śāstram | scripture |
| प्रमाणम् | pramāṇam | the authority |
| ते | te | for you |
| कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ | kārya-akārya-vyavasthitau | in deciding what should and should not be done |
| ज्ञात्वा | jñātvā | knowing |
| शास्त्रविधानोक्तम् | śāstra-vidhāna-uktam | as declared by scriptural injunction |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| कर्तुम् | kartum | to do |
| इह | iha | here, in this world |
| अर्हसि | arhasi | you ought |
Explanation
Therefore let scripture be your authority in deciding what should be done and what should not. Knowing what the scriptural guidance declares, you should perform your work here in this world. The chapter closes by giving Arjuna a reliable standard, so that his action rests on something more stable than passing desire or fear.
Pramāṇa means a valid means of knowledge, and Krishna presents śāstra as the trustworthy guide in moral matters that perception and reasoning alone cannot settle. Shankara stresses that knowing the injunction must be followed by acting on it. The verse also brings the discussion back to Arjuna's situation: his duty is to act, not withdraw. Some modern readers interpret śāstra as the ethical wisdom of a tradition interpreted with understanding, rather than as rigid rule-following.
भावार्थ
इसलिए क्या करना चाहिए और क्या नहीं, इसका निर्णय करने में शास्त्र ही तुम्हारे लिए प्रमाण है। शास्त्र-विधि में बताए गए कर्म को जानकर तुम्हें इस संसार में कर्म करना चाहिए।
Living it today
Have a trusted reference for hard choices, whether a text, a mentor or a written set of values, and consult it before acting, not after.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.24?
Therefore let scripture be your authority in deciding what should be done and what should not. Knowing what the scriptural guidance declares, you should perform your work here in this world. The chapter closes by giving Arjuna a reliable standard, so that his action rests on something more stable than passing desire or fear.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.24?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 16 (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.24 in daily life?
Have a trusted reference for hard choices, whether a text, a mentor or a written set of values, and consult it before acting, not after.
Reflected on verse 16.24?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.