In Bhagavad Gita 16.23, Krishna says one who discards the injunctions of scripture and acts on impulse attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य
वर्तते कामकारतः
न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति
न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥ १६-२३ ॥
yaḥ śāstravidhimutsṛjya
vartate kāmakārataḥ
na sa siddhimavāpnoti
na sukhaṃ na parāṃ gatim
English transliteration yah shaastravidhimutsrijya
vartate kaamakaaratah
na sa siddhimavaapnoti
na sukham na paraam gatim ॥ 16.23 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who discards the injunctions of scripture and acts according to the impulse of desire attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यः yaḥ | who |
| शास्त्रविधिम् śāstravidhim | the injunctions of scripture śāstra (scripture) + vidhim (injunctions) |
| उत्सृज्य utsṛjya | discarding |
| वर्तते vartate | acts |
| कामकारतः kāmakārataḥ | according to the impulse of desire kāma (desire) + kārataḥ (acting) |
| न na | not |
| सः saḥ | he |
| सिद्धिम् siddhim | perfection |
| अवाप्नोति avāpnoti | attains |
| न na | not |
| सुखम् sukham | happiness |
| न na | not |
| पराम् parām | supreme |
| गतिम् gatim | goal |
Word-wise Chanting
- yaḥ śās–tra–vi–dhi–mut–sṛj–ya 8 syllables yah shaas-tra-vi-dhi-mut-srij-ya
- var–ta–te kā–ma–kā–ra–taḥ | 8 syllables var-ta-te kaa-ma-kaa-ra-tah
- na sa sid–dhi–ma–vāp–no–ti 8 syllables na sa sid-dhi-ma-vaap-no-ti
- na su–khaṃ na pa–rāṃ ga–tim || 16-23 8 syllables na su-kham na pa-raam ga-tim
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 16 Verse 23
Context
Krishna emphasises the importance of scriptural guidance (16.23–16.24).
Meaning
Without the guidance of śāstra, the accumulated wisdom of scripture, people act kāma-kārataḥ, on the impulse of desire. Such living leads to no siddhi, perfection; no sukha, lasting happiness; and no parā gati, highest goal.
Desire is a poor guide. Scripture offers a map drawn by those who have walked the path. Ignoring it, we wander.
In Practice
Before a major decision, consult the wisdom of scripture or a wise person, not just your desire.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (Divine and Undivine Qualities). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.