Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge
Chapter 2, Verse 49
"Bhagavad Gita 2.49" — meaning and explanation.
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय | बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः
dūreṇa hyavaraṃ karma buddhiyogāddhanañjaya . buddhau śaraṇamanviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phalahetavaḥ
Meaning
2.49 Far lower than the Yoga of wisdon is action, O Arjuna. Seek thou refuge in wisdom; wretched are they whose motive is the fruit.
।।2.49।। इस बुद्धियोग की तुलना में(सकाम) कर्म अत्यन्त निकृष्ट हैं? इसलिये हे धनंजय तुम बद्धि की शरण लो फल की इच्छा करनेवाले कृपण (दीन) हैं।।
Explanation
2.49 दूरेण by far? हि indeed? अवरम् inferior? कर्म action or work? बुद्धियोगात् than the Yoga of wisdom? धनञ्जय O Dhananjaya? बुद्धौ in wisdom? शरणम् refuge? अन्विच्छ seek? कृपणाः wretched? फलहेतवः seekers after fruits.Commentary Action done with evenness of mind is Yoga of wisdom. The yogi who is established in the Yoga of widdom is not affected by success or failure. He does not seek fruits of his actions. He has poised reason. His reason is rooted in the Self. Action performed by one who expects fruits for his actions? is far inferior to the Yoga of wisdom wherein the seeker does not seek fruits because the former leads to bondage and is the cause of birth and death. (Cf.VIII.18).
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 2.49 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, verse 49, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 2.49
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 2.49 mean?
2.49 Far lower than the Yoga of wisdon is action, O Arjuna. Seek thou refuge in wisdom; wretched are they whose motive is the fruit.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 2.49 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, verse 49, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.