Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 2.42 यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः

Sri Krishna Chapter 2, Verse 42 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 2.42

यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः ।
वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ॥

yāmimāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācaṃ pravadantyavipaścitaḥ |
vedavādaratāḥ pārtha nānyadastīti vādinaḥ ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

हे पार्थ, जो अविवेकी लोग वेदों के कर्मकाण्डी वचनों में ही रमे रहते हैं और कहते हैं कि इसके सिवा और कुछ नहीं है, वे दिखावटी, लुभावनी वाणी बोलते हैं।

Meaning in English

Partha, the unwise speak flowery words, delighting in the letter of the Vedas and claiming that there is nothing beyond them.

Bhagavad Gita 2.42 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
याम् इमाम्yām imāmthis which
पुष्पिताम् वाचम्puṣpitām vācamflowery words
प्रवदन्तिpravadantispeak
अविपश्चितःavipaścitaḥthe unwise
वेद-वाद-रताःveda-vāda-ratāḥdelighting in the letter of the Veda
पार्थpārthaO Partha
न अन्यत् अस्ति इतिna anyat asti iti"there is nothing else"
वादिनःvādinaḥsaying

Explanation

The unwise, delighting in the letter of the Vedas, speak flowery words, O Partha, saying, "There is nothing else" —

Verses 42–44 criticise those who treat Vedic ritual only as a means to heavenly pleasures. Krishna does not reject the Vedas, but points beyond ritual for gain.

भावार्थ

हे पार्थ, वेद के कर्मकाण्ड वाले वचनों में ही रमने वाले अज्ञानी लोग, जो कहते हैं कि "इसके अलावा कुछ नहीं है," ऐसी लुभावनी वाणी बोलते हैं —

Living it today

Beware of religion used only for getting things; its true aim is inner freedom.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.42?

The unwise, delighting in the letter of the Vedas, speak flowery words, O Partha, saying, "There is nothing else" —

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.42?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.42 in daily life?

Beware of religion used only for getting things; its true aim is inner freedom.

Reflected on verse 2.42?

Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.