yāvānartha udapāne sarvataḥ samplutodake
tāvānsarveṣu vedeṣu brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ

To the BRAHMANA who has known the Self, all the VEDAS are of so much use, as is a reservoir of water in a place where there is flood everywhere.

yāvān = all that; arthaḥ = is meant; udapāne = in a well of water; sarvataḥ = in all respects; samplutodake = in a great reservoir of water; tāvān = similarly; sarveṣu = in all; vedeṣu = Vedic literatures; brāhmaṇasya = of the man who knows the Supreme Brahman; vijānataḥ = who is in complete knowledge.;

traiguṇyaviṣayā vedā nistraiguṇyo bhavārjuna
nirdvandvo nityasattvastho niryogakṣema ātmavān

The VEDAS deal with the three attributes; be you above these three attributes (GUNAS) , O Arjuna, free yourself from the pairs-of-opposites, and ever remain in the SATTWA (goodness) , freed from all thoughts of acquisition and preservation, and be established in the Self.

traiguṇya = pertaining to the three modes of material nature; viṣayāḥ = on the subject matter; vedāḥ = Vedic literatures; nistraiguṇyaḥ = transcendental to the three modes of material nature; bhava = be; arjuna = O Arjuna; nirdvandvaḥ = without duality; nityasattvasthaḥ = in a pure state of spiritual existence; niryogakṣemaḥ = free from ideas of gain and protection; ātmavān = established in the self.;

bhogaiśvaryaprasaktānāṃ tayāpahṛtacetasām
vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ samādhau na vidhīyate

For, those who cling to joy and Lordship, whose minds are drawn away by such teaching, are neither determinate and resolute nor are they fit for steady meditation and SAMADHI.

bhoga = to material enjoyment; aiśvarya = and opulence; prasaktānāṃ = for those who are attached; tayā = by such things; apahṛtacetasāṃ = bewildered in mind; vyavasāyātmikā = fixed in determination; buddhiḥ = devotional service to the Lord; samādhau = in the controlled mind; na = never; vidhīyate = does take place.;

kāmātmānaḥ svargaparā janmakarmaphalapradām
kriyāviśeṣabahulāṃ bhogaiśvaryagatiṃ prati

Full of desires, having heaven as their goal, they utter flowery words, which promise new birth as the reward of their actions, and prescribe various specific actions for the attainment of pleasure and Lordship.

kāmātmānaḥ = desirous of sense gratification; svargaparāḥ = aiming to achieve heavenly planets; janmakarmaphalapradāṃ = resulting in good birth and other fruitive reactions; kriyāviśeṣa = pompous ceremonies; bahulāṃ = various; bhoga = in sense enjoyment; aiśvarya = and opulence; gatiṃ = progress; prati = towards.;

yāmimāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācaṃ pravadantyavipaścitaḥ
vedavādaratāḥ pārtha nānyadastīti vādinaḥ

Flowery speech is uttered by the unwise, taking pleasure in the eulogising words of VEDAS, O Partha, saying, There is nothing else.

yāmimāṃ = all these; puṣpitāṃ = flowery; vācaṃ = words; pravadanti = say; avipaścitaḥ = men with a poor fund of knowledge; vedavādaratāḥ = supposed followers of the Vedas; pārtha = O son of Pritha; na = never; anyat = anything else; asti = there is; iti = thus; vādinaḥ = the advocates;

vyavasāyātmikā buddhirekeha kurunandana
bahuśākhā hyanantāśca buddhayo’vyavasāyinām

Here, O Joy of the Kurus, Kurunandana, there is but a single-pointed determination; many-branched and endless are the thoughts of the irresolute.

vyavasāyātmikā = resolute in Krishna consciousness; buddhiḥ = intelligence; eka = only one; iha = in this world; kurunandana = O beloved child of the Kurus; bahuśākhāḥ = having various branches; hi = indeed; anantāḥ = unlimited; ca = also; buddhayaḥ = intelligence; avyavasāyināṃ = of those who are not in Krishna consciousness.;

nehābhikramanāśo’sti pratyavāyo na vidyate
svalpamapyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt

In this there is no loss of effort, nor is there any harm (production of contrary results) . Even a little of this knowledge, even a little practice of the YOGA, protects one from the great fear.

na = there is not; iha = in this yoga; abhikrama = in endeavoring; nāśaḥ = loss; asti = there is; pratyavāyaḥ = diminution; na = never; vidyate = there is; svalpaṃ = a little; api = although; asya = of this; dharmasya = occupation; trāyate = releases; mahataḥ = from very great; bhayāt = danger.;

eṣā te’bhihitā sāṅkhye buddhiryoge tvimāṃ śṛṇu
buddhyā yukto yayā pārtha karmabandhaṃ prahāsyasi

This, which has been taught to thee, is wisdom concerning SANKHYA. Now listen to the wisdom concerning YOGA, having known which, O Partha, you shall cast off the bonds-of-action.

eṣā = all this; te = unto you; abhihitā = described; sāṅkhye = by analytical study; buddhiḥ = intelligence; yoge = in work without fruitive result; tu = but; imaṃ = this; śṛṇu = just hear; buddhyā = by intelligence; yuktaḥ = dovetailed; yayā = by which; pārtha = O son of Pritha; karmabandhaṃ = bondage of reaction; prahāsyasi = you can be released from.;

hato vā prāpsyasi svargaṃ jitvā vā bhokṣyase mahīm
tasmāduttiṣṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ

Slain, you will obtain heaven; victorious you will enjoy the earth; therefore, stand up, O son of Kunti, determined to fight.

hataḥ = being killed; vā = either; prāpsyasi = you gain; svargaṃ = the heavenly kingdom; jitvā = by conquering; vā = or; bhokṣyase = you enjoy; mahīṃ = the world; tasmāt = therefore; uttiṣṭha = get up; kaunteya = O son of Kunti; yuddhāya = to fight; kṛta = determined; niścayaḥ = in certainty.;