In Bhagavad Gita 2.42, Krishna describes unwise people who delight in the letter of the Vedas, claim there is nothing else, and speak flowery words.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं
प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः
वेदवादरताः पार्थ
नान्यदस्तीति वादिनः ॥ २-४२ ॥
yāmimāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācaṃ
pravadantyavipaścitaḥ
vedavādaratāḥ pārtha
nānyadastīti vādinaḥ
English transliteration yaamimaam pushpitaam vaacham
pravadantyavipashchitah
vedavaadarataah paartha
naanyadasteeti vaadinah ॥ 2.42 ॥
Translation / Meaning
O Partha, the unwise, who delight in the words of the Vedas and declare that there is nothing else, speak flowery words.
Verses 2.42–2.44 form one sentence.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| याम् yām | which |
| इमाम् imām | these |
| पुष्पिताम् puṣpitām | flowery |
| वाचम् vācam | words |
| प्रवदन्ति pravadanti | speak |
| अविपश्चितः avipaścitaḥ | the unwise |
| वेदवादरताः vedavādaratāḥ | delighting in the letter of the Vedas veda (Vedas) + vāda (words) + ratāḥ (delighting) |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| न na | not |
| अन्यत् anyat | anything else |
| अस्ति asti | is |
| इति iti | thus |
| वादिनः vādinaḥ | saying |
Word-wise Chanting
- yā–mi–māṃ puṣ–pi–tāṃ vā–caṃ 8 syllables yaa-mi-maam push-pi-taam vaa-cham
- pra–va–dan–tya–vi–paś–ci–taḥ | 8 syllables pra-va-dan-tya-vi-pash-chi-tah
- ve–da–vā–da–ra–tāḥ pār–tha 8 syllables ve-da-vaa-da-ra-taah paar-tha
- nān–ya–das–tī–ti vā–di–naḥ || 2-42 8 syllables naan-ya-das-tee-ti vaa-di-nah
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 42
Context
Krishna contrasts the resolute intellect (2.41) with the mind scattered by desire for worldly and heavenly rewards (2.42–2.44).
Meaning
Krishna is not criticising the Vedas themselves but those who take only their ritual portion, which promises rewards in this world and the next, and claim there is nothing beyond it. Their words are puṣpita, flowery: attractive and fragrant, but without fruit. They mistake the means for the end.
Every spiritual tradition has this danger: religion can become a way of getting more of what we desire, rather than freedom from desire. The Gita asks us to look beyond the attractive promises of reward to the deeper goal of the Self. True spirituality bears fruit in transformation, not only in pleasant words.
In Practice
Notice whether your spiritual practice is mainly a way of getting something. Spend a few minutes practising simply to be present, wanting nothing.
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.