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
yaḥ—whoever; śāstra-vidhim—scriptural injunctions; utsṛjya—rejecting; vartate—acts; kāma-kārataḥ—whimsically from desire; na—not; saḥ—he; siddhim—perfection; avāpnoti—attains; na—never; sukham—happiness; na—never; parām—supreme; gatim—destination.
“One who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to whim does not attain perfection, happiness, or the supreme destination.”
The scriptures represent the accumulated wisdom of realized sages who have navigated the terrain of human psychology and spiritual development with far greater success than the ordinary person. Discarding this guidance in favor of undisciplined personal whim—however it is dressed in the language of individual freedom—leads to the threefold failure described: no spiritual perfection, no lasting happiness, no liberation.
This verse argues for the value of tested wisdom over pure improvisation. Just as one would consult a map in unfamiliar terrain, consulting genuine scriptural and traditional wisdom provides orientation on the spiritual path. However, engaging with scripture critically and reflectively—understanding its principles, not merely following its forms—is more valuable than blind compliance.