Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 42 — Meaning & Life Application
Sanskrit Shloka (Original)
यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः | वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ||२-४२||
Transliteration
yāmimāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācaṃ pravadantyavipaścitaḥ . vedavādaratāḥ pārtha nānyadastīti vādinaḥ ||2-42||
Word-by-Word Meaning
📖 Translation
2.42 Flowery speech is uttered by the unwise, taking pleasure in the eulogising words of the Vedas, O Arjuna, saying, "There is nothing else."
।।2.42।। हे पार्थ अविवेकी पुरुष वेदवाद में रमते हुये जो यह पुष्पिता (दिखावटी शोभा की) वाणी बोलते हैं? इससे (स्वर्ग से) बढ़कर और कुछ नहीं है।।।
How to Apply This Verse in Modern Life
💼 At Work & Career
In your career, avoid being solely swayed by 'flowery' promises of quick promotions, high salaries, or prestigious titles if they don't align with your values, long-term growth, or genuine contribution. Look beyond the superficial allure of 'what's in it for me' and seek work that offers deeper purpose, skill development, and ethical impact, understanding that true professional fulfillment transcends mere material gain or external validation.
🧘 For Stress & Anxiety
Much stress arises from chasing external rewards and fleeting pleasures, believing 'there is nothing else' to happiness. This verse advises against falling for quick-fix solutions or 'flowery' commercial promises for mental well-being. Instead, cultivate inner peace by discerning deeper meaning and purpose, reducing attachment to transient outcomes, and recognizing that genuine contentment originates from within, not solely from external circumstances.
❤️ In Relationships
In relationships, be wary of 'flowery speech' – empty promises, excessive flattery, or superficial charm that may mask a lack of genuine connection, respect, or commitment. Do not believe that a relationship is solely about immediate gratification or external appearances. Seek depth, sincerity, shared values, and mutual growth, understanding that lasting and meaningful connections are built on more than just initial infatuation or material benefits.
When to Chant/Recall This Verse
Solves These Life Problems
Key Message in One Line
“Do not be swayed by superficial promises or temporary gains; true wisdom lies in seeking deeper purpose and lasting fulfillment beyond material allurements.”
🕉️ Council of Sages
Compare interpretations from revered Acharyas and scholars
🌍 English Interpretations
Swami Sivananda
2.42 याम which? इमाम् this? पुष्पिताम् flowery? वाचम् speech? प्रवदन्ति utter? अविपश्चितः the unwise? वेदवादरताः takign pleasure in the eulogising words of the Vedas? पार्थ O Partha? न not? अन्यत् other? अस्ति is? इति thus? वादिनः saying.Commentary Unwise people who are lacking in discrimination lay great stress upon the Karma Kanda or the ritualistic portion of the Vedas? which lays down specific rules for specific actions for,the attainment of specific fruits and ectol these actions and rewards unduly. They are highly enamoured of such Vedic passages which prescribe ways for the attainment of heavenly enjoyments. They say that there is nothing else beyond the sensual enjoyments in Svarga (heaven) which can be obtained by performing the rites of the Karma Kanda of the Vedas.There are two main divisions of the Vedas -- Karma Kanda (the section dealing with action) and Jnana Kanda (the section dealing with knowledge). The Karma Kanda comprises the Brahmanas and the Samhitas. This is the authority for the Purvamimamsa school founded by Jaimini. The followers of this school deal with rituals and prescribe many of them for attaining enjoyments and power here and happiness in heaven. They regard this as the ultimate object of human existence. Ordinary people are attracted by their panegyrics. The Jnana Kanda comprises the Aranyakas and the Upanishads which deal with the nature of Brahman or the Supreme Self.Life in heaven is also transitory. After the fruits of the good actions are exhausted? one has to come back to this earthplane. Liberatio or Moksha can only be attained by knowledge of the Self but not by performing a thousand and one sacrifices.Lord Krishna assigns a comparatively inferior position to the doctrine of the Mimamsakas of performing Vedic sacrifices for obtaining heaven? power and lordship in this world as they cannot give us final liberation.
Shri Purohit Swami
2.42 Only the ignorant speak in figurative language. It is they who extol the letter of the scriptures, saying, There is nothing deeper than this.'
Dr. S. Sankaranarayan
2.42. - 2.43. O son of Prtha ! Those, whose very nature is desire, whose goal is heaven, who esteem only the Vedic declaration [of fruits], who declare that there is nothing else, who proclaim this flowery speech about the paths to the lordship of the objects of enjoyment-[the paths] that are full of different actionsand who desire action alone as a fruit of their birth-they are men without insight.
Swami Adidevananda
2.42 - 2.44 O! Partha, the unwise, who rejoice in the letter of the Vedas, say, 'There is nothing else.' They are full only of wordly desires and they hanker for heaven. They speak flowery words which offer rirth as the fruit of work. They look upon the Vedas as consisting entirely of varied rites for the attainment of pleasure and power. Those who cling so to pleasure and power are attracted by that speech (offering heavenly rewards) and are unable to develop the resolute will of a concentrated mind.
Swami Gambirananda
2.42-2.43 O son of Prtha, those undiscerning people who utter this flowery talk which promises birth as a result of rites and duties, and is full of various special rites meant for the attainment of enjoyment and affluence , they remain engrossed in the utterances of the Vedas and declare that nothing else exists; their minds are full of desires and they have heaven as the goal.
🇮🇳 Hindi Interpretations
Swami Chinmayananda
।।2.42।। no commentary.
Swami Ramsukhdas
।।2.42।। व्याख्या-- 'कामात्मानः'-- वे कामनाओंमें इतने रचे-पचे रहते हैं कि वे कामनारूप ही बन जाते हैं। उनको अपनेमें और कामनामें भिन्नता ही नहीं दीखती। उनका तो यही भाव होता है कि कामनाके बिना आदमी जी नहीं सकता, कामनाके बिना कोई भी काम नहीं हो सकता, कामनाके बिना आदमी पत्थरकी जड हो जाता है ,उसको चेतना भी नहीं रहती। ऐसे भाववाले पुरुष 'कामात्मानः' हैं। स्वयं तो नित्य-निरन्तर ज्यों-का-त्यों रहता है, उसमें कभी घट-बढ़ नहीं होती, पर कामना आती-जाती रहती है और घटती-बढ़ती है। स्वयं परमात्माका अंश है और कामना संसारके अंशको लेकर है। अतः स्वयं और कामना--ये दोनों सर्वथा अलग-अलग हैं। परन्तु कामनामें रचे-पचे लोगोंको अपने स्वरूपका अलग भान ही नहीं होता। 'स्वर्गपराः'-- स्वर्गमें बढ़िया-से-बढ़िया दिव्य भोग मिलते हैं, इसलिये उनके लक्ष्यमें स्वर्ग ही सर्वश्रेष्ठ होता है और वे उसकी प्राप्तिमें ही रात-दिन लगे रहते हैं। यहाँ 'स्वर्गपराः' पदसे उन मनुष्योंकी बात कही गयी है, जो वेदोंमें, शास्त्रोंमें वर्णित स्वर्गादि लोकोंमें आस्था रखनेवाले हैं। वेदवादरताः पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः'-- वे वेदोंमें कहे हुए सकाम कर्मोंमें प्रीति रखनेवाले हैं अर्थात् वेदोंका तात्पर्य वे केवल भोगोंमें और स्वर्गकी प्राप्तिमें मानते हैं ,इसलिये वे 'वेदवादरताः' हैं। उनकी मान्यतामें यहाँके और स्वर्गके भोगोंके सिवाय और कुछ है ही नहीं अर्थात् उनकी दृष्टिमें भोगोंके सिवाय परमात्मा, तत्त्वज्ञान, मुक्ति, भगवत्प्रेम आदि कोई चीज है ही नहीं। अतः वे भोगोंमें ही रचे-पचे रहते हैं। भोग भोगना उनका मुख्य लक्ष्य रहता है। 'यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः'-- जिनमें सत्-असत्, नित्य-अनित्य, अविनाशी-विनाशीका, विवेक नहीं है, ऐसे अविवेकी मनुष्य वेदोंकी जिस वाणीमें संसार और भोगोंका वर्णन है, उस पुष्पित वाणीको कहा करते हैं। यहाँ 'पुष्पिताम्' कहनेका तात्पर्य है कि भोग और ऐश्वर्यकी प्राप्तिका वर्णन करनेवाली वाणी केवल फूल-पत्ती ही है, फल नहीं है। तृप्ति फलसे ही होती है, फूल-पत्तीकी शोभासे नहीं। वह वाणी स्थायी फल देनेवाली नहीं है। उस वाणीका जो फल--स्वर्गादिका भोग है, वह केवल देखनेमें ही सुन्दर दीखता है, उसमें स्थायीपना नहीं है। 'जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम्'-- वह पुष्पित वाणी जन्मरूपी कर्मफलको देनेवाली है; क्योंकि उसमें सांसारिक भोगोंको ही महत्व दिया गया है। उन भोगोंका राग ही आगे जन्म होनेमें कारण है (गीता 13। 21)। 'क्रियाविशेषबहुलां भोगैश्वर्यगतिं प्रति'-- वह पुष्पित अर्थात् दिखाऊ शोभायुक्त वाणी भोग और ऐश्वर्यकी प्राप्तिके लिये जिन सकाम अनुष्ठानोंका वर्णन करती है, उनमें क्रियाओंकी बहुलता रहती है अ���्थात् उन अनुष्ठानोंमें अनेक तरहकी विधियाँ होती हैं, अनेक तरहकी क्रियाएँ करनी पड़ती हैं, अनेक तरहके पदार्थोंकी जरूरत पड़ती है एवं शरीर आदिमें परिश्रम भी अधिक होता है (गीता 18। 24)।
Swami Tejomayananda
।।2.42।। हे पार्थ अविवेकी पुरुष वेदवाद में रमते हुये जो यह पुष्पिता (दिखावटी शोभा की) वाणी बोलते हैं? इससे (स्वर्ग से) बढ़कर और कुछ नहीं है।।।
📜 Sanskrit Commentaries
Sri Madhavacharya
।।2.42।।स्युरवैदिकानि मतानि अव्यवसायात्मकानि न तु वैदिकानि। तेऽपि हि केचित्कर्माणि स्वर्गादिफलान्येवाहुरित्यत आह यामिमामिति। यामाहुस्तयेत्यन्वयः। मोक्षफलमपेक्ष्य स्वर्गादिपुष्पयुक्तां वाचं प्रवदन्ति। वेदवादरताः कर्मादिवाचकवेदवादरताः। वेदैर्यन्मुखत उच्यते तत्रैव रताः। नान्यदस्तीतिवादिनःपरोक्षविषया वेदाः परोक्षप्रिया इव हि देवाः ऐ.उ.1।14बृ.उ.4।2।2मां विधत्तेऽभिधत्ते माम् भाग.11।21।43 इत्यादिभिः पारोक्ष्येण प्रायो भगवन्तं वदन्ति।
Sri Anandgiri
।।2.42।।यदि सांख्ययोगरूपैकैव प्रमाणभूता बुद्धिस्तर्हि सैव सर्वेषां चित्ते किमिति स्थिरा न भवति तत्राह येषामिति। ते यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्ति तयापहृतचेतसां कामिनाम्। कामवशान्निश्चयात्मिका बुद्धिर्न प्रायः स्थिरा भवतीत्याह ते। यामिति। इमामित्यध्ययनविध्युपात्तत्वेन प्रसिद्धत्वं कर्मकाण्डरूपाया वाचो विवक्ष्यते। वक्ष्यमाणत्वं क्रियाविशेषबहुलामित्यादौ द्रष्टव्यम्। किंशुको हि पुष्पशाली शोभमानोऽनुभूयते न पुरुषभोग्यफलभागी लक्ष्यते तथेयमपि कर्मकाण्डात्मिका श्रूयमाणदशायां रमणीया वागुपलभ्यते साध्यसाधनसंबन्धप्रतिभानान्न त्वेषा निरतिशयफलभागिनी भवति कर्मानुष्ठानफलस्यानित्यत्वादिति मत्वाह पुष्पितामिति। वाक्यत्वेन लक्ष्यतेऽर्थवत्त्वप्रतिभानाद्वस्तुतस्तु न वाक्यमर्थाभासत्वादित्याह वाक्यलक्षणामिति। प्रवक्तृ़णां वेदवाक्यतात्पर्यपरिज्ञानाभावं सूचयति अविपश्चित इति। वेदवादा वेदवाक्यानि तानि च बहूनामर्थवादानां फलानां साधनानां च विधिशेषाणां प्रकाशकानि तेषु रतिरासक्तिस्तन्निष्ठत्वं तद्वत्त्वमपि तेषां विशेषणमित्याह वेदवादेति। कर्मकाण्डनिष्ठत्वं फलं कथयति नान्यदिति। ईश्वरो वा मोक्षो वा नास्तीत्येवं वदन्तो नास्तिकाः सन्तः सम्यग्ज्ञानवन्तो न भवन्तीत्यर्थः।
Sri Vallabhacharya
।।2.42।।अव्यवसायिनां बुद्धिभेदं निरूपयति यामिमामिति। जैमिनीया वेदवाचं सर्वकाण्डरूपां सर्वां पुष्पितां प्रकर्षेण कर्तृकर्मफलभावेन युक्तां वदन्ति। पुष्पस्थानीयेषु स्वर्गादिषु फलत्वबुद्ध्या रता भवन्तीत्यर्थः। यतो वेदवादेषु फलबोधककर्मवादेषु रताः। न च तत्सत्फलं वेदबोधितत्वादिति वाच्यम् अर्थान्तरेण वेदबोधितत्वात् तत्फलस्ययन्न दुःखेन सम्भिन्नं इत्यादिवाक्यात्. तथा चेयं वाक् पुष्पिता न फलिता। तेषु परं गन्धलोभितचेतस एव ते भ्रान्ता भवन्तीति हृदयम्।
Sridhara Swami
।।2.42।।ननु कामिनोऽपिकष्टान्कामान्विहाय व्यवसायात्मिकामेव बुद्धिं किं न कुर्वन्ति तत्राह यामिति। पुष्पितां विषलतावदापातरमणीयां प्रकृष्टां परमार्थफलपरामेव वदन्ति वाचं स्वर्गादिफलश्रुतिं ये तेषां तया वाचापहृतचेतसां व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिर्न विधीयत इति तृतीयेनान्वयः। किमिति तथा वदन्ति। यतोऽविपश्चितो मूढाः। तत्र हेतुः। वेदे ये वादा अर्थवादाःअक्षय्यं ह वै चातुर्मास्ययाजिनः सुकृतं भवतिअपाम सोमममृता अभूम इत्याद्यास्तेष्वेव रताः प्रीताः। अतएव अतः परमन्यदीश्वरतत्त्वं प्राप्यं नास्तीति वचनशीलाः।