Shloka 49

Sankhya Yoga — Sankhya Yoga

Devanagari script

दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनंजय । बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥ २.४९ ॥

Transliteration

dūreṇa hy avaraṃ karma buddhi-yogād dhanañjaya | buddhau śaraṇam anviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ || 2.49 ||

Translation

ധനഞ്ജയാ, ബുദ്ധിയോഗത്തേക്കാൾ കര്‍മം വളരെ താഴ്ന്നതാണ്. ബുദ്ധിയിൽ ശരണം തേടുക; ഫലത്തെ ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കി പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്നവർ കൃപണരാണ്.

Gita Press Meaning

Action is far inferior to buddhi-yoga, O Dhanañjaya. Seek refuge in buddhi; those who act for results are pitiable.

Critical Edition Meaning

Indeed, action is far lower than the yoga of understanding (buddhi-yoga), O Dhanañjaya. Seek shelter in understanding; wretched are those whose motive is the result.

Comparative Note

“Avaraṃ karma” is commonly read as ‘mere action’—action driven by desire and calculation—contrasted with action guided by discernment. “Kṛpaṇa” is ethically evaluative; academic translations often soften it to ‘narrow’ or ‘impoverished in spirit,’ indicating constricted motivation.

Word by Word

दूरेणfar away; at a distance

हिindeed; for

अवरम्inferior; lower

कर्मaction (ritual/works)

बुद्धियोगात्from the yoga of intellect; from buddhi-yoga

धनंजयO Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)

बुद्धौin (that) intellect; in buddhi

शरणम्refuge; shelter

अन्विच्छseek; pursue

कृपणाःthe miserly; the mean-spirited

फलहेतवःthose whose motive is the fruit (of action)

Speakers

Krishna

Primary Concepts

Buddhi (discernment)Buddhi-yogaPhala-hetu (result-motive)

Key Themes

Primacy of discernment over impulsive doingCritique of instrumentalismInner refuge as ethical orientation

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It distinguishes compulsive productivity from reflective agency: acting from clear values and understanding reduces regret and reactive decision-making.

Metaphysical meaning?

Buddhi-yoga can be read as aligning the intellect with a higher standpoint (self/ātman or dharma), thereby reshaping agency and weakening egoic possessiveness.

Contextual relevance?

Krishna deepens the teaching from ‘act without fruit-attachment’ to ‘let discernment govern action,’ presenting a qualitative hierarchy of motivations.

Modern Application?

Before acting, clarify purpose and ethical constraints; avoid making reward the sole driver, especially in high-stakes roles where incentives can distort judgment.