तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ | ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ||१६-२४||
tasmācchāstraṃ pramāṇaṃ te kāryākāryavyavasthitau .
jñātvā śāstravidhānoktaṃ karma kartumihārhasi ||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.
In simple words
Krishna closes the chapter: "So let wisdom be your guide in deciding what to do and what not to do. Understand what the teachings say — and then act accordingly in this world."
Word-by-word meanings
तस्मात्thereforeशास्त्रम्scriptureप्रमाणम्(be) authorityतेtheyकार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौin determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be doneज्ञात्वाhaving knownशास्त्रविधानोक्तम्what is said in the ordinance of the scripturesकर्मactionकर्तुम्to doइहhere (in this world)अर्हसिshouldst
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. ,
Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.
This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.
Modern
From the principles presented in the three preceding verses, this conclusion emerges: the seeker must adopt their way of life in accordance with the testimony of scripture. The distinction between duty and non-duty can only be determined through the study of sacred texts. In charting the path to truth, no seeker can rely solely upon their own imaginings. The declarations of scripture come from those sages who themselves realized perfection through this very path. Therefore, since those sages have given us the map of this way, it is fitting for us to follow it with humility and thereby fulfill ourselves.
Before embarking upon the pilgrimage to the Self, we must study these scriptures with wisdom and discernment. To know the destination, the path, the obstacles, and the means to overcome them—this is essential and beneficial for any journey.
Many people know the scriptures, yet exceedingly rare are those who possess the courage to live as the scriptures teach, the steadfast resolve, and the patience to persevere until the goal of Self-realization is attained. Therefore, the teaching of Lord Krishna is this: abandoning desire, anger, and greed, humanity must live in accordance with scripture. This is the life of karma yoga.
Thus concludes the Sixteenth Chapter, named the Yoga of the Division of the Divine and Demoniac Natures, in the Bhagavad Gita—the Upanishad of Brahma-knowledge, the scripture of yoga, in the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna.