Bhagavad Gita 2.41
Sanskrit
बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्
Transliteration
bahu-śhākhā hyanantāśh cha buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām
Synonyms
yām imām: all these;
puṣpitām: flowery;
vācam: words;
pravadanti: say;
avipaścitaḥ: men with a poor fund of knowledge;
veda: vāda - ratāḥ — supposed followers of the Vedas;
pārtha: O son of Pṛthā;
na: never;
anyat: anything else;
asti: there is;
iti: thus;
vādinaḥ: the advocates;
kāma: ātmānaḥ — desirous of sense gratification;
svarga: parāḥ — aiming to achieve heavenly planets;
janma: karma - phala - pradām — resulting in good birth and other fruitive reactions;
kriyā: viśeṣa — pompous ceremonies;
bahulām: various;
bhoga: in sense enjoyment;
aiśvarya: and opulence;
gatim: progress;
prati: towards .;
English Meaning
Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.
Life Theme
Duty and Wisdom
Life Application
Focusing on doing one’s duty sincerely instead of worrying constantly about outcomes or recognition.