Chapter 2 Verse 42-43
Sānkhya Yog
यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः। वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः।।2.42।। कामात्मानः स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम्। क्रियाविशेषबहुलां भोगैश्वर्यगतिं प्रति।।2.43।।
yāmimāṁ puṣhpitāṁ vāchaṁ pravadanty-avipaśhchitaḥ veda-vāda-ratāḥ pārtha nānyad astīti vādinaḥ kāmātmānaḥ swarga-parā janma-karma-phala-pradām kriyā-viśheṣha-bahulāṁ bhogaiśhwarya-gatiṁ prati kāmātmānaḥ svarga-parā janma-karma-phala-pradām kriyā-viśeṣa-bahulāṁ bhogaiśvarya-gatiṁ prati
Word Meanings
| yām imām | all these |
| puṣhpitām | flowery |
| vācham | words |
| pravadanti | speak |
| avipaśhchitaḥ | those with limited understanding |
| veda-vāda-ratāḥ | attached to the flowery words of the Vedas |
| pārtha | Arjun, the son of Pritha |
| na anyat | no other |
| asti | is |
| iti | thus |
| vādinaḥ | advocate |
| kāma-ātmānaḥ | desirous of sensual pleasure |
| swarga-parāḥ | aiming to achieve the heavenly planets |
| janma-karma-phala | high birth and fruitive results |
| pradāṁ | awarding |
| kriyā-viśheṣha | pompous ritualistic ceremonies |
| bahulām | various |
| bhoga | gratification |
| aiśhwarya | luxury |
| gatim | progress |
| prati | toward kāmaātmānaḥ |
| svarga-parāḥ | aiming to achieve heavenly planets |
| janma-karma-phala-pradām | resulting in fruitive action, good birth, etc. |
| kriyā-viśeṣa | pompous ceremonies |
| bahulām | various |
| bhoga | sense enjoyment |
| aiśvarya | opulence |
| gatim | progress |
| prati | towards. |
Translation
The unwise, taking pleasure in the eulogizing words of the Vedas, utter flowery speech, saying, "There is nothing else," O Arjuna. Full of desires, with heaven as their goal, (they speak words that are directed to ends) leading to new births as the result of their works, and prescribe various methods abounding in specific actions, for the attainment of pleasure and power.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Krishna points out that some people are taken in by beautiful, impressive words and claim there is nothing beyond what those words promise. They treat scripture and ritual as a way to win pleasures, status, or a better rebirth. Their faith is outward and reward-driven.
Philosophically, this is a warning against a transactional religion: when practice is done only to gain heaven, fame, or comforts, it strengthens desire and keeps a person bound to repeated cycles of birth and death. True wisdom looks past promises of external gains and sees the deeper purpose of spiritual life.
The deeper teaching invites shifting the goal from chasing results to cultivating right understanding and inner freedom. Acting with clarity and without clinging to fruits of action leads to real progress, not more entanglement.
Life Application
- Notice your motive: ask whether you practice to feel good, gain approval, or to grow inwardly; gently redirect toward sincere growth.
- Do duties and practices consistently but without expecting rewards; focus on steady inner change rather than rituals meant to impress.
- Simplify spiritual routines—prioritize honesty, self-awareness, and compassion over outward display or elaborate ceremonies done for show.
Reflection Question
Are my spiritual efforts helping me let go of desire, or are they feeding my need for reward and recognition?