Gita 16.23
Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः | 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 ||23||
In essence: He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own desires attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "But what if scripture contains outdated or harmful elements? Should we follow blindly?"
Guru: "Scripture requires intelligent engagement, not mechanical following. The Gita itself teaches discrimination (viveka). But discrimination operates within a framework, not in a vacuum. One discriminates between higher and lower within tradition, not between tradition and ego-preference. Moreover, guidance from realized teachers helps navigate scriptural interpretation. The alternative—making the unrealized ego the sole authority—is demonstrably problematic."
Sadhak: "Modern people value authenticity—being true to oneself. Isn't following scripture being inauthentic?"
Guru: "Which self are you being true to? The conditioned self, shaped by culture and circumstance, whose desires are largely programmed? Or the true Self (Ātman), whose nature is wisdom and peace? Scripture aims to reveal the true Self, which is your deepest authenticity. Following whim is usually following programming, which is borrowed inauthenticity masquerading as freedom."
Sadhak: "The verse says neither perfection, happiness, nor supreme goal. Aren't some people who ignore scripture happy?"
Guru: "Temporary pleasure is not sukha (deep happiness). The demoniac person described earlier thought themselves happy (verse 14). But that 'happiness' was fragile, dependent on circumstances, shadowed by anxiety. True sukha is stable, unconditional, arising from wisdom. Those who appear happy while ignoring dharma are often running from inner emptiness—their happiness doesn't survive scrutiny."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Acknowledge the role of wisdom tradition in your life. Even if you're not religious, recognize sources of guidance beyond personal preference: teachers, ethical principles, time-tested wisdom. Ask: 'What guidance am I ignoring because it doesn't match my desires?'
When making decisions, notice the voice of 'kāma-kāra'—acting from desire. Before acting, ask: 'What would wisdom traditions say about this choice? Am I rationalizing desire or genuinely discerning right action?'
Reflect on times you followed desire against better knowledge. What were the results? Not to induce guilt but to verify the teaching experientially. Then consider: What current decisions might benefit from traditional wisdom rather than personal preference?