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TEXT 16 kim karma kim akarmeti
SYNONYMS  kim--what
is; karma--action; kim--what is; akarma--inaction;
iti--thus;
kavayah--the intelligent; api--also; atra--in this
matter; mohitah--bewildered; tat--that; te--unto you;
karma--work; pravaksyami--I shall explain; yat--which;
jnatva--knowing;
moksyase--be liberated; asubhat--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 sins.
PURPORT Action in Krsna
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
Krsna 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 Krsna consciousness was first narrated to
the sun-god, the sun-god explained it to his son Manu, Manu explained it
to his son Iksvaku, 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 Krsna
consciousness. For this reason, the Lord decided to instruct Arjuna in
Krsna 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. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam. No one can
manufacture a religious principle by imperfect speculation. One must follow
in the footsteps of great authorities like Brahma, Siva, Narada, Manu,
the Kumaras, Kapila, Prahlada, Bhisma, Sukadeva Gosvami, Yamaraja, Janaka,
Bali Maharaja, etc. 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 Krsna consciousness can deliver a
person from the entanglement of material existence.
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