In Bhagavad Gita 2.39, Krishna says he has explained the wisdom of Sankhya, and now Arjuna should hear the wisdom of yoga, by which he will break the bondage of action.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
एषा तेऽभिहिता साङ्ख्ये
बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु
बुद्ध्या युक्तो यया पार्थ
कर्मबन्धं प्रहास्यसि ॥ २-३९ ॥
eṣā te’bhihitā sāṅkhye
buddhiryoge tvimāṃ śṛṇu
buddhyā yukto yayā pārtha
karmabandhaṃ prahāsyasi
English transliteration eshaa te’bhihitaa saankhye
buddhiryoge tvimaam shrinu
buddhyaa yukto yayaa paartha
karmabandham prahaasyasi ॥ 2.39 ॥
Translation / Meaning
This wisdom has been taught to you according to Sankhya; now hear it according to Yoga. Endowed with this understanding, O Partha, you will break free from the bondage of action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| एषा eṣā | this |
| ते te | to you |
| अभिहिता abhihitā | taught |
| साङ्ख्ये sāṅkhye | according to Sāṅkhya, the path of knowledge |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | wisdom, understanding |
| योगे yoge | according to Yoga |
| तु tu | but |
| इमाम् imām | this |
| शृणु śṛṇu | hear |
| बुद्ध्या buddhyā | with the understanding |
| युक्तः yuktaḥ | endowed |
| यया yayā | by which |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| कर्मबन्धम् karmabandham | the bondage of action karma (action) + bandham (bondage) |
| प्रहास्यसि prahāsyasi | you will cast off |
Word-wise Chanting
- e–ṣā te–‘bhi–hi–tā sāṅ–khye 8 syllables e-shaa te-‘bhi-hi-taa saan-khye
- bud–dhir–yo–ge tvi–māṃ śṛ–ṇu | 8 syllables bud-dhir-yo-ge tvi-maam shri-nu
- bud–dhyā yuk–to ya–yā pār–tha 8 syllables bud-dhyaa yuk-to ya-yaa paar-tha
- kar–ma–ban–dhaṃ pra–hās–ya–si || 2-39 8 syllables kar-ma-ban-dham pra-haas-ya-si
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 39
Context
Krishna marks a transition: from the teaching on the Self (2.11–2.30) to the practice of yoga in action (2.39–2.53).
Meaning
Sankhya here means the path of discriminating knowledge: understanding the difference between the Self and the body, which Krishna has just explained. Yoga here means the practice of that knowledge in action: buddhi-yoga, action guided by wisdom and free from attachment. The goal is liberation from karma-bandha, the binding effect of actions.
This verse shows that the Gita is not satisfied with understanding alone. Knowing the truth about the Self is essential, but it must be lived. Yoga is the bridge from insight to everyday life. From here on, the Gita becomes a practical guide to acting in the world without being bound by it.
In Practice
Choose one insight you already understand, such as “I am more than this body,” and decide how you will practise it in one concrete situation today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.