Word meanings
- dūreṇa
- (discrad) from far away
- hi
- certainly
- avaram
- inferior
- karma
- reward-seeking actions
- buddhi-yogāt
- with the intellect established in Divine knowledge
- dhanañjaya
- Arjun
- buddhau
- divine knowledge and insight
- śaraṇam
- refuge
- anviccha
- seek
- kṛpaṇāḥ
- miserly
- phala-hetavaḥ
- those seeking fruits of their work
Translations
Far lower than the Yoga of wisdom is action, O Arjuna. Seek thou refuge in wisdom; wretched are those whose motive is the fruit.
Physical action is far inferior to an intellect concentrated on the Divine. Therefore, have recourse to Pure Intelligence. It is only the small-minded who work for reward.
O Dhananjaya, indeed, action is inferior to the yoga of wisdom. Take refuge in wisdom. Those who thirst for rewards are pitiable.
बुद्धियोग-(समता) की अपेक्षा सकामकर्म दूरसे (अत्यन्त) ही निकृष्ट है। अतः हे धनञ्जय ! तू बुद्धि (समता) का आश्रय ले; क्योंकि फलके हेतु बननेवाले अत्यन्त दीन हैं।Commentary
Action done with evenness of mind is Yoga of wisdom. The yogi who is established in the Yoga of widdom is not affected by success or failure. He does not seek fruits of his actions. He has poised reason. His reason is rooted in the Self. Action performed by one who expects fruits for his actions, is far inferior to the Yoga of wisdom wherein the seeker does not seek fruits because the former leads to bondage and is the cause of birth and death. (Cf.VIII.18).