Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16, verse 23 · Krishna
Bhagavad Gita 16.23 · Yah Shastravidhimutsrijya
यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः ।
न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥
yaḥ śāstravidhimutsṛjya vartate kāmakārataḥ |
na sa siddhimavāpnoti na sukhaṃ na parāṃ gatim ||
Translation
One who casts aside the injunctions of scripture (shastra) and acts on the impulse of desire attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the highest goal.
Context
Spoken by Krishna in chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga — “The Divine and Demonic Natures”, which has 24 verses.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 16.23 mean?
One who casts aside the injunctions of scripture (shastra) and acts on the impulse of desire attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the highest goal.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.23?
Krishna, speaking to Arjuna, in chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (The Divine and Demonic Natures).
Sanskrit text: traditional, public domain. Translation and explanation are our own.