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Chapter 16 · The Divine and Demoniac Natures · 24 verses

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Character & ethicsChapter 16 · The Divine and Demoniac Natures
16.2216.24

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 16.23

Lust, anger, greed and scriptural guidance

य: शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारत: ।

न स सिद्धिमवाप्‍नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥ २३ ॥

yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya

vartate kāma-kārataḥ

na sa siddhim avāpnoti

na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim

Translation

He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Follow Scripture, Serve Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1Those who reject scriptural rules and act on their own whims gain neither perfection, happiness, nor the supreme destination.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that rules and knowledge must lead to understanding and serving the Supreme Lord. Highest perfection requires Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service.
  3. 3Apply scriptural guidance in daily life, rather than following lust and greed, and gradually develop devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 16, The Divine and Demoniac Natures: lust, anger, greed and scriptural guidance.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Cultivate divine qualities in character.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: daivī-sampat, dharma.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 16.23 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?

Practice

Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 16 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 16.21Lust, anger and greed lead toward degradation.BG 16.22Lust, anger, greed and scriptural guidanceBG 12.13Qualities of a devotee dear to Krishna

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.