Verse 2.49
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय। बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dūreṇa hy avaraṁ karma buddhi-yogād dhanañjaya buddhau śaraṇam anviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ
Word-by-Word Meanings
dūreṇa-by far
avaram-inferior
karma-action (with selfish motive)
buddhi-yogāt-than yoga of wisdom
kṛpaṇāḥ-miserable/wretched
phala-hetavaḥ-those motivated by results
Translation
Action performed with selfish motive is far inferior to action performed with equanimity of mind, O Dhananjaya. Seek refuge in wisdom. Wretched are those who are motivated by results.
Commentary
Krishna declares that action motivated by desire for results is spiritually inferior to action performed with wisdom and equanimity. Those who act only for rewards are called 'kṛpaṇa' (miserly/wretched) because they sell their spiritual freedom for temporary gains.
Themes
karmajnanayoga