In Bhagavad Gita 16.24, the last verse of Chapter 16, Krishna says scripture is the authority in deciding what should and should not be done; knowing its teaching, Arjuna should act.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते
कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ
ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं
कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥ १६-२४ ॥
tasmācchāstraṃ pramāṇaṃ te
kāryākāryavyavasthitau
jñātvā śāstravidhānoktaṃ
karma kartumihārhasi
English transliteration tasmaachchhaastram pramaanam te
kaaryaakaaryavyavasthitau
jnaatvaa shaastravidhaanoktam
karma kartumihaarhasi ॥ 16.24 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Therefore let scripture be your authority in deciding what should be done and what should not be done. Knowing what is declared in the injunctions of scripture, you should act here in this world.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| शास्त्रम् śāstram | scripture |
| प्रमाणम् pramāṇam | authority |
| ते te | your |
| कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ kāryākāryavyavasthitau | in deciding what should and should not be done kārya (should be done) + akārya (should not be done) + vyavasthitau (deciding) |
| ज्ञात्वा jñātvā | knowing |
| शास्त्रविधानोक्तम् śāstravidhānoktam | declared in the injunctions of scripture śāstra (scripture) + vidhāna (injunctions) + uktam (declared) |
| कर्म karma | action |
| कर्तुम् kartum | to perform |
| इह iha | here |
| अर्हसि arhasi | you should |
Word-wise Chanting
- tas–māc–chās–traṃ pra–mā–ṇaṃ te 8 syllables tas-maach-chhaas-tram pra-maa-nam te
- kār–yā–kār–yav–ya–vas–thi–tau | 8 syllables kaar-yaa-kaar-yav-ya-vas-thi-tau
- jñāt–vā śās–tra–vi–dhā–nok–taṃ 8 syllables jnaat-vaa shaas-tra-vi-dhaa-nok-tam
- kar–ma kar–tu–mi–hār–ha–si || 16-24 8 syllables kar-ma kar-tu-mi-haar-ha-si
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 24
Context
The final verse of Chapter 16 states the conclusion.
Meaning
Śāstra is pramāṇa, a valid source of knowledge, for discerning kārya and akārya, what is to be done and what is not. Knowing its guidance, Arjuna should act in the world.
Scripture here means the teaching of the wise, interpreted with understanding, not mechanical rule-following. It provides a reliable standard beyond our changing desires.
In Practice
Choose one principle from the Gita and use it as your guide for decisions this week.
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.