तस्माच् छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुम् इहार्हसि ॥
tasmāc chāstraṃ pramāṇaṃ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau | jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktaṃ karma kartum ihārhasi ||
Therefore śāstra is your pramāṇa for kārya-akārya. Know what śāstra declares — then act accordingly in the world.
Word by word (3)
- tasmāc chāstraṃ pramāṇaṃ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau
- — therefore (tasmāt) scripture (śāstram) is your authority/standard (pramāṇam te) in determining (vyavasthitau) what should be done (kārya) and what should not be done (akārya) — the chapter's conclusion as personal instruction to Arjuna
- jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktam
- — having known (jñātvā) what is declared (uktam) by śāstric ordinance (śāstra-vidhāna) — knowledge of the śāstra as prerequisite to action
- karma kartum ihārhasi
- — you should (arhasi) perform (kartum) action (karma) here (iha — in this world) — Arjuna is directly addressed to act from this śāstric knowledge
Therefore, let scripture be your authority for determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Knowing what is declared by scriptural ordinance, you should perform your actions in this world.
A modern analogy
V24 is like the end of a safety briefing: here is what can harm you (kāma/krodha/lobha), here is the consequence (naraka, downward births), here is the protection (śāstra-pramāṇa), and here is your assignment (karma kartum iha). The chapter closes the circle: Ch.16 opened with daivī-sampad for Arjuna (V5: mā śucaḥ); it closes with śāstric action as his path forward.
V24 is the chapter seal of Ch.16 — and also a bridge to Ch.17, which opens with Arjuna's immediate question about those who have śraddhā but ignore śāstra. V24 establishes the śāstra-as-pramāṇa principle, and Ch.17 immediately complicates it: what about sincere faith outside formal śāstric practice? The chapter ends with an affirmation of dharmic framework — a necessary anchor before Ch.17's more nuanced exploration of śraddhā.
Pramāṇa (standard of valid knowledge) is an Epistemological technical term in Nyāya and Mīmāṃsā — the valid means of knowing (perception, inference, testimony). By calling śāstra 'pramāṇa' for kārya-akārya (ethical action), V24 gives śāstra the same epistemological status as perception has for factual knowledge. This is the Vedic/Mīmāṃsaka position: for dharmic action, śāstra alone is the valid source, since actions' spiritual consequences are beyond direct perception.
Public-domain translations (4) compare all →
Therefore, the scripture is thy authority in deciding as to what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Now, thou oughtest to know and perform thy duty laid down in the scripture-law. [1]
So let the Shastra be thy authority in ascertaining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Having known what is said in the ordinance of the Shastra, thou shouldst act here. [4]
Therefore in discriminating between what should be done and what should not be done, your authority must be scripture. Knowing the ordinance of scripture, you should perform action in this world. [9]
The scriptures should be thy authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. It behooves thee to do work here, having ascertained what has been declared by the ordinances of the scriptures. [13]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
Where yogeśvara Kṛṣṇa is, where archer Pārtha stands — there abide fortune, victory, flourishing, and steadfast dharma.
Therefore remember Me at all times and fight — mind and intellect fixed on Me, you will come to Me without doubt.
Arise and win glory! These warriors are already slain by Me — be merely the instrument, O Savyasācin!
OṀ Tat Sat: triple name of Brahman — by which brāhmaṇas, Vedas, and yajñas were ordained in the beginning.
Destroyed is my delusion, memory restored by Your grace — I stand firm, free of doubt, and will do Your word.
No effort on this path is ever wasted — even a little progress protects you from great fear.