Complete learning edition. The Sanskrit source remains separate from attributed word meanings, translation, explanation and commentary witnesses. Diagrams and memory aids are study tools, not replacements for the source text.
तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ।ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि।।16.24।।
tasmāch chhāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau jñātvā śhāstra-vidhānoktaṁ karma kartum ihārhasi
Therefore, whenever there is doubt as to whether you should do something or not, let the scriptures guide your conduct. In the light of the scriptures, you should labor your whole life.
English rendering by Shri Purohit Swami. Each source voice remains named.
Build the sentence from its parts
Read across once, then cover the meanings and recover them from the Sanskrit forms.
| Sanskrit form | Meaning here |
|---|---|
| tasmāt | therefore |
| śhāstram | scriptures |
| pramāṇam | authority |
| te | your |
| kārya | duty |
| akārya | forbidden action |
| vyavasthitau | in determining |
| jñātvā | having understood |
| śhāstra | scriptures |
| vidhāna | injunctions |
| uktam | as revealed |
| karma | actions |
| kartum | perform |
| iha | in this world |
| arhasi | you should |
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.
Attributed explanatory witness: Swami Sivananda. Chapter lens: Compare divine and destructive dispositions, their actions and consequences without converting the lists into weapons for judging others.
Three named reading witnesses
Śaṅkara edition witness
Swami GambiranandaTherefore, the scripture is your authority as regards determining what should be done and what should not be done. After understanding your duty as presented by scriptural injunction, you ought to perform it here.
Rāmānuja edition witness
Swami AdidevanandaTherefore, let the Sastra be your authority for determining what should be done and what should not be done. Knowing what is enjoined in the injunctions of the Sastra, you should perform work here.
Sivananda commentary witness
Swami SivanandaHe 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.
These are concise, attributed reading witnesses from identified editions. They are presented for comparison and are not merged into one anonymous interpretation.
Meaning map
Follow the thought
- 1
Therefore, whenever there is doubt as to whether you should do something or not, let the scriptures guide your conduct
- 2
In the light of the scriptures, you should labor your whole life
- 3
tasmāt: therefore
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Build meaning without hiding the work
Compare divine and destructive dispositions, their actions and consequences without converting the lists into weapons for judging others.
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Three questions for this verse
- 1
Which quality, belief or action is named?
- 2
What consequence or trajectory is given?
- 3
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