Bhagavad Gita · 2.42 · Transcendental Knowledge·42 of 72
यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः।वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ॥
yāmimāṁ puṣhpitāṁ vāchaṁ pravadanty-avipaśhchitaḥ veda-vāda-ratāḥ pārtha nānyad astīti vādinaḥ
kāmātmānaḥ swarga-parā janma-karma-phala-pradām kriyā-viśheṣha-bahulāṁ bhogaiśhwarya-gatiṁ prati
Sanskrit recitation
A clearer mind for action · 2.39–2.46 · Teaching
Translation
The unwise, taking pleasure in the eulogizing words of the Vedas, utter flowery speech, saying, "There is nothing else," O Arjuna.
Meaning
Unwise people who are lacking in discrimination lay great stress upon the Karma Kanda or the ritualistic portion of the Vedas, which lays down specific rules for specific actions for,the attainment of specific fruits and ectol these actions and rewards unduly. They are highly enamoured of such Vedic passages which prescribe ways for the attainment of heavenly enjoyments. They say that there is nothing else beyond the sensual enjoyments in Svarga (heaven) which can be obtained by performing the rites of the Karma Kanda of the Vedas.There are two main divisions of the Vedas -- Karma Kanda (the section dealing with action) and Jnana Kanda (the section dealing with knowledge). The Karma Kanda comprises the Brahmanas and the Samhitas. This is the authority for the Purvamimamsa school founded by Jaimini. The followers of this school deal with rituals and prescribe many of them for attaining enjoyments and power here and happiness in heaven. They regard this as the ultimate object of human existence. Ordinary people are attracted by their panegyrics. The Jnana Kanda comprises the Aranyakas and the Upanishads which deal with the nature of Brahman or the Supreme Self.Life in heaven is also transitory. After the fruits of the good actions are exhausted, one has to come back to this earthplane
After Swami Sivananda
A clearer mind for action· 2.39–2.46→
Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.
- 2.39This, which has been taught to you, is wisdom concerning Sankhya. Now listen to wisdom concerning Yoga, endowed with which, O Arjuna, you shall cast off the bonds of action.
- 2.40In this, there is no loss of effort, nor is there any harm produced, nor any transgression. Even a little of this knowledge protects one from great fear.
- 2.41Here, O joy of the Kurus, there is only one single-pointed determination; many-branched and endless are the thoughts of the indecisive.
2.42The unwise, taking pleasure in the eulogizing words of the Vedas, utter flowery speech, saying, "There is nothing else," O Arjuna.
- 2.43Full of desires, with heaven as their goal, (they speak words that are directed to ends) leading to new births as the result of their works, and prescribe various methods abounding in specific actions, for the attainment of pleasure and power.
- 2.44For those who are attached to pleasure and power, whose minds are drawn away by such teachings, their determinate reason is not formed which is steadily bent on meditation and Samadhi (superconscious state).
- 2.45The Vedas deal with the three attributes; be thou above these three attributes. O Arjuna, free yourself from the pairs of opposites and ever remain in the quality of Sattva, freed from acquisition and preservation, and be established in the Self.
- 2.46To the Brahmana who has known the Self, all the Vedas are of as much use as a reservoir of water would be in a place where there is a flood.
Word-by-word→
- iti
- thus
- asti
- is
- bhoga
- gratification
- gatim
- progress
- prati
- toward
- pārtha
- Arjun, the son of Pritha
- vācham
- words
- bahulām
- various
- na anyat
- no other
- pradāṁ
- awarding
- aiśhwarya
- luxury
- pravadanti
- speak
- vādinaḥ
- advocate
- yām imām
- all these
- puṣhpitām
- flowery
- swarga-parāḥ
- aiming to achieve the heavenly planets
- avipaśhchitaḥ
- those with limited understanding
- janma-karma-phala
- high birth and fruitive results
- kāma-ātmānaḥ
- desirous of sensual pleasure
- kriyā-viśheṣha
- pompous ritualistic ceremonies
- veda-vāda-ratāḥ
- attached to the flowery words of the Vedas
Related verses
- 2.6I can hardly tell which would be better, that we should conquer them or that they should…
- 2.11The Blessed Lord said, "You have grieved for those who should not be grieved for; yet, you…
- 2.2The Blessed Lord said, "From whence has this perilous strait come upon you, this dejection…
- 2.12Nor, at any time, was I not, nor thou, nor these rulers of men; nor, verily, shall we ever…