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
- sarveṣu
- in all
- vedeṣu
- Vedas
- brāhmaṇasya
- one who realizes the Absolute Truth
- vijānataḥ
- who is in complete knowledge
Translations
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.
As a man can drink water from any side of a full tank, so the skilled theologian can extract from any scripture that which will serve their purpose.
A Brahmana with realization has that much utility in all the Vedas as a person has in a well when there is a flood all around.
सब तरफसे परिपूर्ण महान् जलाशयके प्राप्त होनेपर छोटे गड्ढों में भरे जल में मनुष्यका जितना प्रयोजन रहता है अर्थात् कुछ भी प्रयोजन नहीं रहता, वेदों और शास्त्रोंको तत्त्वसे जाननेवाले ब्रह्मज्ञानीका सम्पूर्ण वेदोंमें उतना ही प्रयोजन रहता है अर्थात् कुछ भी प्रयोजन नहीं रहता।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.