Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 49

English Translation

O Dhananjaya, indeed, action is ite inferior to the yoga of wisdom. Take resort to wisdom. Those who thirst for rewards are pitiable.

Detailed Commentary

Explanation: 'Far inferior is action (karma) to Buddhi-yoga.' Buddhi-yoga, meaning equanimity (samata), is compared to performing actions with selfish desires (sakam karma), which is extremely inferior. Because actions are born and perish, and their fruits are also subject to union and separation. But Yoga (equanimity) is eternal (nitya); it is never separated. It has no imperfection. Therefore, compared to equanimity, actions performed with selfish desires are extremely inferior. Among all actions, equanimity alone is supreme. Without equanimity, beings merely continue to perform actions and, as a result, experience birth, death, and sorrow. This is because without equanimity, actions lack the power to liberate. Equanimity in actions is true skill. If there is no equanimity in actions, ego (ahanta) and possessiveness (mamata) will arise in the body, and this ahanta-mamata in the body is animal intellect (pashubuddhi). In the Bhagavata, Shukadeva Ji told King Parikshit: "O King, abandon this animalistic intellect that says 'I shall die.'" (12.5.2) The implication of 'dureṇa' (far) is that just as light and darkness can never be together, Buddhi-yoga and sakam karma can also never be together. There is a day-and-night difference between the two. This is because Buddhi-yoga leads to the attainment of the Paramatma, while sakam karma brings forth birth and death. 'Seek refuge in Buddhi.' Take refuge in Buddhi (equanimity). To remain constantly established in equanimity is to take refuge in it. Only by remaining established in equanimity will you experience your true Self (svarūpa). 'Wretched are those who are motivated by the fruits of action.' To be motivated by the fruits of actions (karmaphala) is extremely wretched. To identify oneself with actions, their fruits, the means of action (karma samagri), and the body and other instruments, is to become the cause of the fruits of actions. Therefore, in the forty-seventh verse, the Lord prohibited becoming the cause of the fruits of actions by stating, "mā karmaphalaheturbhūḥ" (Be not the cause of the fruits of your actions). The domain of action (karma) and its fruits (karmaphala) is separate, and the domain of the eternal Tattva, which is free from both, is separate. For that eternal Tattva to become subordinate to impermanent karmaphala – what could be a greater wretchedness than this? Connection: The refuge in Buddhi, which was mentioned in the previous verse, will now be explained with its fruits in the following verse.