तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ ।
ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥
ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
अतः तेरे लिये कर्तव्यअकर्तव्यकी व्यवस्थामें शास्त्र ही प्रमाण है ऐसा जानकर तू इस लोकमें शास्त्रविधिसे नियत कर्तव्य कर्म करनेयोग्य है ॥
English
Therefore, scripture is your authority for deciding what should be done and what should not be done. Knowing the duties laid out in scripture, you should act here in the world.
What this verse means
Right and wrong action should be judged by scripture, not impulse. Knowing that guidance, a person should do the duty set before them.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has been overwhelmed by doubt. After exposing the ruin caused by desire and lawless action, Krishna closes the argument by grounding right action in scripture. The point is clear: act, but let higher guidance decide what action truly is.
Why this verse still matters
You are about to send the message that could end a relationship, and your feelings are shouting louder than your conscience. Krishna says: do not let impulse be the judge.
The takeaway
You do not have to invent your own moral compass in the heat of confusion.
Word-by-word translation
तस्मात् (therefore) / शास्त्रम् (scripture) / प्रमाणम् (authority) / ते (for you) / कार्य-अकार्य-व्यवस्थितौ (in the arrangement of what should be done and what should not be done) / ज्ञात्वा (having known) / शास्त्र-विधान-उक्तम् (spoken in scriptural rule) / कर्म (action / duty) / कर्तुम् (to do) / इह (here) / अर्हसि (you are fit / should)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga — The Divine and Demoniac Natures, which contains 24 verses.
Explore related themes: dharma (14 verses)