Bhagavad Gītā › Chapter 2 › Verse 49
Bhagavad Gītā 2.49: Take shelter in wisdom
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय ।
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥
dūreṇa hyavaraṃ karma buddhiyogāddhanañjaya
buddhau śaraṇamanviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phalahetavaḥ
Recitation: NehalDaveND (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0, adapted, original recording
Meaning
Action is far inferior to the yoga of understanding, Dhanañjaya. Seek refuge in understanding; pitiable are those whose motive is the fruit. The “understanding” (buddhi) is the even-minded wisdom described in 2.38–2.48; the verse contrasts it with action driven only by desire for results.
For children
Krishna says: “Doing something only to get a prize is not the best way. Do things with a calm, wise heart. People who only want prizes miss the real joy.”
Kṛṣṇa follows 2.47–2.48 (do your work, not for the fruit, with an even mind) by naming the attitude to take refuge in.
Word by word
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म — Action done just for results is far lower
- dūreṇa: by far
- avara: lower, inferior
- karman: action
बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय — than action with a wise, steady mind, Arjuna
- buddhiyoga: the yoga of a steady, wise mind
- dhanañjaya: winner of wealth (Arjuna)
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ — take shelter in that wisdom
- buddhi: wisdom, understanding
- śaraṇa: shelter, refuge
- anviccha: seek
कृपणाः फलहेतवः — those who act only for the reward are to be pitied
- kṛpaṇa: poor, pitiable
- phalahetu: acting for the fruit
Kṛṣṇa speaks this verse. The Sanskrit is checked against four editions; meanings and word notes are simple learning aids written for MahaPrabha Gurukul, awaiting review by a Sanskrit teacher.