Read a Lecture by Srila Prabhupada on this Verse
ik&- k-MaR ik-Mak-MaeRiTa k-vYaae_PYaa MaaeihTaa" )
Tatae k-MaR Pa[v+YaaiMa YaJjaTva Maae+YaSae_éu>aaTa( )) 16 ))
kià karma kim akarmeti
kavayo 'py atra mohitäù
tat te karma pravakñyämi
yaj jïätvä mokñyase 'çubhät
SYNONYMS
kim-what is; karma-action; kim-what is; akarma-inaction; iti-thus; kavayaù-the intelligent; api-also; atra-in this matter; mohitäù-are bewildered; tat-that; te-unto you; karma-work; pravakñyämi-I shall explain; yat-which; jïätvä-knowing; mokñyase-you will be liberated; açubhät-from ill fortune.
TRANSLATION
Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.
PURPORT
Action in Kåñëa consciousness has to be executed in accord with the examples of previous bona fide devotees. This is recommended in the 15th verse. Why such action should not be independent will be explained in the text to follow.
To act in Kåñëa consciousness, one has to follow the leadership of authorized persons who are in a line of disciplic succession as explained in the beginning of this chapter. The system of Kåñëa consciousness was first narrated to the sun-god, the sun-god explained it to his son Manu, Manu explained it to his son Ikñväku, and the system is current on this earth from that very remote time. Therefore, one has to follow in the footsteps of previous authorities in the line of disciplic succession. Otherwise even the most intelligent men will be bewildered regarding the standard actions of Kåñëa consciousness. For this reason, the Lord decided to instruct Arjuna in Kåñëa consciousness directly. Because of the direct instruction of the Lord to Arjuna, anyone who follows in the footsteps of Arjuna is certainly not bewildered.
It is said that one cannot ascertain the ways of religion simply by imperfect experimental knowledge. Actually, the principles of religion can only be laid down by the Lord Himself. Dharmaà tu säkñäd bhagavat-praëétam (Bhäg. 6.3.19). No one can manufacture a religious principle by imperfect speculation. One must follow in the footsteps of great authorities like Brahmä, Çiva, Närada, Manu, the Kumäras, Kapila, Prahläda, Bhéñma, Çukadeva Gosvämé, Yamaräja, Janaka, and Bali Mahäräja. By mental speculation one cannot ascertain what is religion or self-realization. Therefore, out of causeless mercy to His devotees, the Lord explains directly to Arjuna what action is and what inaction is. Only action performed in Kåñëa consciousness can deliver a person from the entanglement of material existence.
