These two verses establish the importance of sastric injunctions
Need to follow sastras (16.24) – To control and regulate these demoniac qualities one must follow scriptural injunctions
For the purpose of gradual elevation
Result of not following sastras (16.23) – If one disregards scriptural injunction and acts according to his own whims, there is neither perfection nor happiness nor supreme destination
aWhat does sastra-viddhi refer to — It refers to ‘direction of sastras’ as follows:
Injunctions prescribed for different castes and orders for gradual spiritual elevation
Everyone is expected to follow these
bPurpose of scriptural rules — Rules are meant for gradual elevation to higher perfectional stage of devotional service
Apply the knowledge – One may theoretically know all these things, but if one does not apply them then he is known as the lowest of mankind
Know the tattva of the Lord – Even if one follows the rules and regulations but does not come to the understanding of Supreme Lord then all his knowledge is spoiled
Serve the Lord – Even if he accepts the existence of God, if he does not engage himself in the service of the Lord, his attempts are spoiled
cMeaning of ‘Kama-kartah’ — defines “acting whimsically”
One who knowingly violates the rule, acts in lust
dDestination of “whimsical acts”
Condemned by the Supreme Lord
Cannot have the perfection which is meant for the human life
Importance of rules in Human Life – Rules and regulations are meant to purify one’s existence and attain the real stage of happiness FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 16.24
aHighest perfection of Vedic knowledge — knowing Krishna (Ref. 15.15) and engaging in devotional service
bLord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on how to achieve the highest perfection very easily
Simply chant Hare Krishna and engage in Devotional service
Eat the remnants of the Lord
cWhat status one achieves by the above process of devotional service
One is understood to have studied all Vedic literature and has come to the conclusion perfectly
dHow to purify those not engaged in devotional service
Decide their prescribed duties according to Vedic injunctions – Do’s and Don’t
How to follow scriptures – follow without arguments and alterations
eStandard of Vedic Scriptures which make them unquestionable
Free from four defects of conditioned soul
Therefore rules are accepted without alteration by all great saints, acaryas, great souls
fAversion to the principles of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the greatest offense of human life
Cause of all falldowns in human society
Cause of Maya giving us miseries
gPrinciples of scriptures are a must to achieve perfectional stage
Both Impersonalists and personalists lead lives according to Vedic principles
Who is fortunate – one who actually understands the purport of the sastras
hSome of defects of human society which cause demoniac life
Those in passion and ignorance deride the scriptures, holy man and proper understanding of Supreme Personality of Godhead
Inspite of hearing the glories of devotional service, they are not attracted, but they manufacture their own way of elevation
iHow to elevate and why to elevate
One has to rise at least to the mode of goodness before the path to understanding the Supreme Lord can be opened
One can elevate to a higher stage by the guidance of proper and bona-fide spiritual master
End of chapter 16
Bhagavad Gita Notes 1 Chapter 16 Appendix CHAPTER 16 Appendix Selected Texts extracted from “Surrender unto Me”