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Bhagavad Gita · 2.42 · Transcendental Knowledge·42 of 72

यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितःवेदवादरताः 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.

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

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