1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

700 verses37 detailed

Or browse by chapter

Chapter

Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Duty & actionChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized

2.42 2.44

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.43

Working with resolute intelligence

Karma · Action

यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः ।

वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ॥ ४२ ॥

कामात्मानः स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम् ।

क्रियाविशेषबहुलां भोगैश्वर्यगतिं प्रति ॥ ४३ ॥

yām imāṁ puṣpitāṁ vācaṁ

pravadanty avipaścitaḥ

veda-vāda-ratāḥ pārtha

nānyad astīti vādinaḥ

kāmātmānaḥ svarga-parā

janma-karma-phala-pradām

kriyā-viśeṣa-bahulāṁ

bhogaiśvarya-gatiṁ prati

Translation

Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Beyond Heavenly Pleasures

1
People with little knowledge desire heavenly pleasures, wealth, and power, thinking the Vedas offer nothing higher.
2
Prabhupāda explains that they mistake sacrifices for heavenly enjoyment as the whole purpose of Vedic wisdom.
3
Attachment to such temporary pleasures makes it difficult to act with determination in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 2.42–46

Buddhi-yoga vs Karma-kanda

PURPOSE OF COMPARISION: To sharpen Arjuna’s intelligence and avoid his attempt to renounce

Karma-kanda mentality is condemned as less intelligent path and is compared to “fools getting attached to the poisonous flowers of a tree” (2.42 – 2.43)

Material opulence and sense gratification are the two obstacles to Krishna consciousness (2.44)

Buddhi-yoga is transcendental to Vedic Karma-kanda rituals (2.45 – 2.46)

Sankirtana-yajna or Krishna consciousness fulfills the purpose of the Vedas