Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 2 Sankhya Yogah

यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वत: सम्प्लुतोदके |
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानत: ||46||

For a person who has realized the ultimate truth, the Vedas are as useful as a small well when water is available everywhere.

Udapane: Well or water reservoir.
Samplutodake: In a flooded place.
Vijanatah: For the one who knows.

Krishna uses the analogy of a small well to describe how the wisdom of the Vedas is limited compared to the vastness of true spiritual knowledge. For one who has attained higher understanding, the Vedas, which primarily deal with material desires, are no longer of utmost importance. This teaching encourages Arjuna to look beyond ritualistic knowledge.

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कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||47||

You have a right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits of your actions. Never be attached to not doing your duty.

Karma-phala: Result of actions.
Adhikarah: Right or responsibility.
Karma: Action or duty.

Krishna instructs Arjuna to perform his duty without attachment to the results. One should never act with the desire for reward, nor should one avoid action out of fear of failure. This principle of Karma Yoga—performing action without attachment to the fruits—emphasizes the purity and selflessness that should accompany every action.

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योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय |
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ||48||

Perform your duties with a balanced mind, giving up attachment to success and failure. Such balance is called Yoga.

Yoga: Balance or equanimity.
Siddhy-asiddhyoh: Success and failure.
Samatvam: Evenness or balance.

Krishna advises Arjuna to act with equanimity, without being swayed by success or failure. This state of even-mindedness is the essence of Yoga, leading to liberation from the bondage of actions. Krishna’s guidance promotes self-mastery and detachment, encouraging Arjuna to engage in action with a steady and calm mind.

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दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय |
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणा: फलहेतव: ||49||

O Arjuna, action is far inferior to the Yoga of wisdom. Seek refuge in wisdom. Those driven by results are pitiable.

Buddhi-yogah: Yoga of intelligence.
Saranam: Refuge or shelter.
Phala-hetavah: Motivated by results.

Krishna advocates for the superiority of wisdom over mere ritualistic actions. He urges Arjuna to seek refuge in this wisdom, as those motivated by results are miserly in their understanding. This teaching shifts the focus from outward rituals to the inner wisdom and intention behind one’s actions, emphasizing the need for conscious awareness.

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बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते |
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् ||50||

One who is united with wisdom gives up the fruits of both good and bad deeds. Therefore, be steadfast in the practice of Yoga.

Yogah: Yoga or path of selfless action.
Kausalam: Skill or proficiency.
Sukrta-duskrte: Good and bad deeds.

Krishna explains that one who is united with wisdom renounces both good and bad results of actions, thereby becoming free from the cycle of karma. Such a person achieves perfection in action, known as Karma Yoga. This teaching encourages detachment from outcomes and emphasizes the importance of purity of intention in all endeavors.

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कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिण: |
जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ता: पदं गच्छन्त्यनामयम् ||51||

The wise, endowed with wisdom, abandon the fruits of action and, freed from the cycle of birth, attain a state beyond all suffering.

Phalam: Result or fruit.
Bandha: Bondage or attachment.
Vinirmuktah: Liberated or free from.

Those who act with wisdom, renouncing the fruits of their actions, are freed from the bonds of karma and attain the state of liberation. Krishna highlights that wisdom leads to the end of the cycle of birth and death. This teaching motivates Arjuna to act selflessly, aiming for spiritual freedom rather than worldly gains.

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यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति |
तदा गन्तासि निर्वेदं श्रोतव्यस्य श्रुतस्य च ||52||

When your mind crosses the illusion of dualities, you will develop dispassion for all that you have heard and will hear.

Moha: Illusion or delusion.
Kalilam: Mire or confusion.
Srotavyasya: To be heard.

When Arjuna’s mind crosses the mire of delusion, he will develop dispassion towards what he has heard and will hear. Krishna indicates that true wisdom will help Arjuna see beyond the dualities of life, allowing him to be unmoved by praise or criticism. This state of detachment is essential for attaining inner peace and self-realization.

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