2. Transcendental Knowledge

Sānkhya Yog

BG 2.49

Stay far away from inferior actions which seek reward, and seek to establish the intellect in the refuge of divine wisdom. Miserly are those whose only motive is the fruit of their actions.

दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः

  • dūreṇa — from far away

  • hy-avaraṁ — certainly inferior

    • hy — certainly

    • avaraṁ — inferior

  • karma — actions

  • buddhi-yogād — with the intellect established in Yoga

    • buddhi — intellect

    • yogād — established in Yoga

  • dhanañjaya — Arjuna

  • buddhau — divine insight

  • śharaṇam — refuge

  • anvichchha — seek

  • kṛipaṇāḥ — miserly

  • phala-hetavaḥ — seeking fruits of their actions
    The word for fruit, phala, is commonly used analogous to "result" in relation to performance of actions. Phalahetu is "motivation by results", and this word is closest to "those who are motivated by the fruit of actions"

    • phala — fruits

    • hetavaḥ — those who seeks motive

...2.46

You have a right to perform your duty, but you are not entitled to the fruit of your actions. Do not let results be your motivation, and avoid attachment to inaction.

[47]

Be steadfast in performing your duties, abandoning all attachment to success and failure - such equanimity is called Yoga.

[48]

Stay far away from inferior actions which seek reward, and seek to establish the intellect in the refuge of divine wisdom. Miserly are those whose only motive is the fruit of their actions.

[49]

2.50...

Similar verses

Chapter 2, Verse 49