Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of KnowledgeKrishna
Verse 46
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 2, श्लोक 46
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः सम्प्लुतोदके।
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः॥४६॥
Transliteration
Yavan-Artha Udapane Sarvatah Sampluto-Udake.
Tavan Sarveshu Vedeshu Brahmanasya Vijanatah.||46||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यावान्yavanas much
अर्थःarthahpurpose
उदपानेudapanein a small well
सर्वतःsarvatahin all respects
सम्प्लुतोदकेsampluta-udakein a great reservoir of water
तावान्tavanso much
सर्वेषु वेदेषुsarveshu vedeshuin all the Vedas
ब्राह्मणस्यbrahmanasyaof the one who knows Brahman
विजानतःvijanatahwho has realized
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जैसे चारों ओर जल से भरे विशाल सरोवर के होने पर कुएँ का उतना ही उपयोग रह जाता है, वैसे ही ब्रह्मज्ञानी के लिए सम्पूर्ण वेदों का उतना ही प्रयोजन रह जाता है।
English Translation
As much use as there is for a small well when water floods everywhere, so much use is there in all the Vedas for a Brahmin who has realized the Supreme.
Commentary (टीका)
A profound analogy: when a vast reservoir of water is available, a small well becomes redundant. Similarly, for one who has attained direct knowledge of Brahman, the ritualistic portions of the Vedas serve limited purpose. This doesn't dismiss the Vedas but shows they are a means to an end, not the end itself.