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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 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
2.482.50

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.49

Work without attachment; steady intelligence

Karma · Action

दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय ।

बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥ ४९ ॥

dūreṇa hy avaraṁ karma

buddhi-yogād dhanañ-jaya

buddhau śaraṇam anviccha

kṛpaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ

Translation

O Dhanañjaya, keep all abominable activities far distant by devotional service, and in that consciousness surrender unto the Lord. Those who want to enjoy the fruits of their work are misers.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

3 study points

Work for Kṛṣṇa’s Satisfaction

  1. 1

    Through devotional service, avoid abominable activities and surrender to the Lord. Those seeking to enjoy their work’s fruits are misers.

  2. 2

    We are eternal servants of the Lord. Work outside Kṛṣṇa consciousness keeps us bound to birth and death.

  3. 3

    Use all your energy to satisfy Kṛṣṇa through loving service. This makes life successful.

Key points from the purport

Reject all abominable actions and act in buddhi-yoga — Arjuna is recommended to keep all abominable activities (fruitive actions) far distant by devotional service and surrender unto the Lord

a

Definition of Miser

They do not know how to engage their assets acquired by good fortune / hard labour

E.g. Human energy should be used for Krishna consciousness; But misers want to enjoy fruitive work

b

What does “Abominable Activities” refer to

Fruitive acts

All acts which bind to birth and death

All actions except Krishna consciousness because they continuously bind us to the cycle of birth and death

c

What is the “Right course of action” for living entities — Buddhi-yoga or transcendental loving service to the Lord

Further reading

Buddhi–Yoga — Fight!

FIGHT! But without any reaction – Niskarma-karma-yoga

One works (karma) with knowledge (jnana)

Thus detached from the fruit of his work

Chapter 2, section IV: Buddhi–Yoga — Fight!
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dūreṇadiscard it at a long distance
  2. hicertainly
  3. avaramabominable
  4. karmaactivity
  5. buddhi-yogāton the strength of Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  6. dhanam-jayaO conqueror of wealth
  7. buddhauin such consciousness
  8. śaraṇamfull surrender
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.49 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomesBG 2.48Work without attachment; steady intelligenceBG 3.21Leadership by example
Live this todayDo Your Duty for KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 2.48, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction