Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 46

यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः संप्लुतोदके। तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः।।2.46।।

yāvān artha udapāne sarvataḥ samplutodake tāvānsarveṣhu vedeṣhu brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ

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Word Meanings

yāvān—whatever
arthaḥ—purpose
uda-pāne—a well of water
sarvataḥ—in all respects
sampluta-udake—by a large lake
tāvān—that many
sarveṣhu—in all
vedeṣhu—Vedas
brāhmaṇasya—one who realizes the Absolute Truth
vijānataḥ—who is in complete knowledge
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Translation

To the Brahmana who has known the Self, all the Vedas are of as much use as a reservoir of water would be in a place where there is a flood.

•••

Commentary

2.46 यावान् as much? अर्थः use? उदपाने in a reservoir? सर्वतः everywhere? संप्लुतोदके being flooded? तावान्,so much (use)? सर्वेषु in all? वेदेषु in the Vedas? ब्राह्मणस्य of the Brahmana? विजानतः of the knowing.Commentary Only for a sage who has realised the Self? the Vedas are of no use? because he is in possession of the infinite knowledge of the Self. This does not? however? mean that the Vedas

are useless. They are useful for the neophytes or the aspirants who have just started on the spiritual path.All the transient pleasures derivable from the proper performance of all actions enjoined in the Vedas are comprehended in the infinite bliss of Selfknowledge.

46 of 72 verses