Shloka 43
कर्मयोग–ज्ञानयज्ञ–अवतारोपदेश
Karma-Yoga, Jñāna-Yajña, and Avatāra Instruction
कामात्मान: स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम् । क्रियाविशेषबहुलां भोगैश्वर्यगतिं प्रति
sañjaya uvāca | kāmātmānaḥ svargaparā janma-karma-phala-pradām | kriyā-viśeṣa-bahulāṁ bhogaiśvarya-gatiṁ prati ||
Sanjaya said: Those whose very nature is desire, who take heaven as the highest goal, and who proclaim a doctrine that promises rebirth and the fruits of ritual action—abounding in specialized ceremonies aimed at attaining enjoyment and worldly power—speak such ornate, showy words. Captivated by that speech and attached to pleasure and lordship, they do not attain a steady, decisive understanding directed toward the Supreme.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire-driven people who treat heaven, pleasure, and power as the highest goals become captivated by ornate Vedic-sounding promises of ritual rewards; such attachment prevents firm, God-oriented discernment and steadiness of understanding.
Sanjaya reports the teaching being given to Arjuna: a critique of those who cling to reward-centered ritual speech and pursue enjoyment and prosperity, contrasting them with the ideal of resolute spiritual understanding aimed at the Supreme.