यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः संप्लुतोदके ।
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ॥
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
सब तरफसे परिपूर्ण महान् जलाशयके प्राप्त होनेपर छोटे गड्ढों में भरे जल में मनुष्यका जितना प्रयोजन रहता है अर्थात् कुछ भी प्रयोजन नहीं रहता, वेदों और शास्त्रोंको तत्त्वसे जाननेवाले ब्रह्मज्ञानीका सम्पूर्ण वेदोंमें उतना ही प्रयोजन रहता है अर्थात् कुछ भी प्रयोजन नहीं रहता ॥
English
For one who understands, all the Vedas are as useful as a small puddle when a great reservoir of water is at hand.
What this verse means
A person who truly understands the supreme reality needs the Vedas no more than a person beside a full reservoir needs a tiny puddle.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is overwhelmed by duty, grief, and contradiction. Krishna answers by showing that real understanding is not scattered across many rules and rituals. For the one who truly knows, the whole point has been grasped.
Why this verse still matters
You have read every article, saved every thread, and still feel unsure before making the hard call. At some point, more input stops helping; clear seeing does.
The takeaway
There is relief in not needing endless guidance once the deeper truth is seen.
Word-by-word translation
यावान् (as much) / अर्थः (use, purpose) / उदपाने (in a small water-source) / सर्वतः (from all sides) / संप्लुतोदके (in a fully flooded reservoir) / तावान् (that much) / सर्वेषु (in all) / वेदेषु (in the Vedas) / ब्राह्मणस्य (for the knower of Brahman) / विजानतः (for one who truly knows)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge, which contains 72 verses.