Shloka 16
Dharma, Purity, and the Inner Purpose of the Vedas
Karma-kāṇḍa Reoriented to Bhakti
क्वचिद् गुणोऽपि दोष: स्याद् दोषोऽपि विधिना गुण: । गुणदोषार्थनियमस्तद्भिदामेव बाधते ॥ १६ ॥
kvacid guṇo ’pi doṣaḥ syād doṣo ’pi vidhinā guṇaḥ guṇa-doṣārtha-niyamas tad-bhidām eva bādhate
కొన్నిసార్లు విధి బలంతో పుణ్యమే పాపమవుతుంది; అలాగే సాధారణంగా పాపమైనదీ వేదవిధానంతో పుణ్యమవుతుంది. ఇలాంటి ప్రత్యేక నియమాలు పుణ్య–పాపాల స్పష్టమైన భేదాన్ని మసకబార్చుతాయి।
The Lord clearly explains here that material piety and sin are always relative considerations. For example, if a neighbor’s house is on fire and one chops a hole in the roof so that the trapped family may escape, one is considered to be a pious hero because of the dangerous condition. In normal conditions, however, if one chops a hole in his neighbor’s roof or breaks the neighbor’s windows, he is considered a criminal. Similarly, one who abandons one’s wife and children is certainly irresponsible and thoughtless. If one takes sannyāsa, however, and remains fixed on a higher spiritual platform, he is considered to be a most saintly person. Piety and sin therefore depend upon particular circumstances and are at times difficult to distinguish.
FAQs
This verse says that virtue can become fault and fault can become virtue depending on proper regulation (vidhi); rigid labels of “good” and “bad” bind those who cling to such dualistic distinctions.
While teaching Uddhava the deeper principles of dharma and yoga, Kṛṣṇa explains that external moral categories are context-dependent and should be understood through higher spiritual discernment rather than rigid absolutism.
Apply principles with discernment: consider context, intention, and scriptural/ethical guidance—avoiding harsh judgment and rigid moral labeling—while still acting responsibly and in a spiritually aligned way.