Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of KnowledgeKrishna
Verse 49
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 2, श्लोक 49
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय।
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः॥४९॥
Transliteration
Durena Hy-Avaram Karma Buddhi-Yogad-Dhananjaya.
Buddhau Sharanam-Anvichchha Kripanah Phala-Hetavah.||49||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
दूरेणdurenaby far
अवरम्avaraminferior
कर्मkarmaaction (with selfish motive)
बुद्धियोगात्buddhi-yogatthan action in divine consciousness
बुद्धौbuddhauin this wisdom
शरणम्sharanamrefuge
अन्विच्छanvichchhaseek
कृपणाःkripanahmiserable/wretched
फलहेतवःphala-hetavahthose motivated by results
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे धनञ्जय! सकाम कर्म बुद्धियोग (समत्व बुद्धि) से बहुत निम्न है। बुद्धि (समत्व) की शरण में जाओ। फल की इच्छा रखने वाले कृपण (दीन) हैं।
English Translation
O Dhananjaya, action with selfish motive is far inferior to action performed with equanimity of mind. Seek refuge in this divine wisdom. Miserable are those who are motivated by the fruits of action.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna contrasts two kinds of action: sakama karma (action driven by desire for results) and nishkama karma (selfless action). Those who act only for results are called 'kripana' (miserly) because they miss the greater treasure of inner freedom. True richness lies in acting without attachment.