दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय ।
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
बुद्धियोगसमता की अपेक्षा सकामकर्म दूरसे अत्यन्त ही निकृष्ट है । अतः हे धनञ्जय तू बुद्धि समता का आश्रय ले क्योंकि फलके हेतु बननेवाले अत्यन्त दीन हैं ॥
English
Action driven by craving is far below the steadiness of clear discernment. Seek refuge in clear discernment, for those who chase results are pitiable.
What this verse means
Action done for rewards is lower than action guided by clear discernment. Krishna tells Arjuna to rely on that steadiness instead of craving outcomes.
Context & commentary
On the Kurukshetra field, Arjuna is still frozen between battle and conscience. Krishna sharpens the teaching: action ruled by reward is inferior to action guided by steady discernment, and the wise refuge is the clear mind.
Why this verse still matters
You send the message, then keep checking for the reply every two minutes. The mind that needs a payoff has already lost its steadiness.
The takeaway
You can stop measuring your worth by what you get back.
Word-by-word translation
दूरेण (far) / हि (indeed) / अवरम् (inferior) / कर्म (action) / बुद्धियोगात् (to the yoga of discernment) / धनञ्जय (O Dhananjaya) / बुद्धौ (in discernment) / शरणम् (refuge) / अन्विच्छ (seek) / कृपणाः (pitiable ones) / फलहेतवः (those who are motivated by results)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge, which contains 72 verses.
Explore related themes: sattva (26 verses), clarity (10 verses)