tasmāch chhāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau
jñātvā śhāstra-vidhānoktaṁ karma kartum ihārhasi
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
In this verse, the Lord is reminding us that it’s important to know what our responsibilities are and what actions we should avoid. This understanding should come from the teachings found in sacred texts, known as scriptures. Think of these scriptures like a guidebook that provides instructions on how to live a good life.
According to the Bhagavad Gita and other sacred texts, the ultimate goal is to understand God better, which leads to a higher level of knowledge and consciousness. This was also emphasized by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a revered teacher, who made this process simpler. He taught people to chant a specific mantra, 'Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna...' This practice helps devotees develop a loving connection with God and is part of a bigger spiritual practice known as devotional service.
So when someone participates in these spiritual activities, they are seen as well-versed in spiritual knowledge, even more so than those who simply study the scriptures but don't apply their teachings in life.
However, if someone doesn’t engage in these practices or isn’t in a spiritual mindset, it becomes very important for them to know what actions to take and what to avoid based on the teachings from the scriptures. The scriptures give clear instructions on right and wrong, helping you make decisions in your daily life.
The key message here is that we should follow these teachings closely. These rules, known as 'sastra,' are seen as perfect because they come from a higher authority and are not influenced by the flaws humans usually have, such as having imperfect senses, the ability to lie, or making mistakes. While people can easily be deceived or confused, the wisdom in the scriptures remains clear and reliable.
All wise and knowledgeable people accept these rules without any change. They encourage us to live by them, as doing so leads to greater understanding and personal growth. Ultimately, by adhering to these rules laid out in the scriptures and acting on them, we can elevate ourselves and move towards a higher state of being and consciousness.