In Bhagavad Gita 2.46, Krishna says that for one who knows Brahman, all the Vedas are of as much use as a small well when there is water flooding everywhere.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यावानर्थ उदपाने
सर्वतः सम्प्लुतोदके
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु
ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ॥ २-४६ ॥
yāvānartha udapāne
sarvataḥ samplutodake
tāvānsarveṣu vedeṣu
brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ
English transliteration yaavaanartha udapaane
sarvatah samplutodake
taavaansarveshu vedeshu
braahmanasya vijaanatah ॥ 2.46 ॥
Translation / Meaning
As much use as there is in a small well when there is water flooding everywhere, so much use is there in all the Vedas for a brahmana who has realised the truth.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यावान् yāvān | as much |
| अर्थः arthaḥ | use, purpose |
| उदपाने udapāne | in a well |
| सर्वतः sarvataḥ | everywhere |
| सम्प्लुतोदके samplutodake | when there is a flood of water sampluta (flooded) + udake (water) |
| तावान् tāvān | so much |
| सर्वेषु sarveṣu | in all |
| वेदेषु vedeṣu | in the Vedas |
| ब्राह्मणस्य brāhmaṇasya | for the brāhmaṇa, the knower of Brahman |
| विजानतः vijānataḥ | who has realised |
Word-wise Chanting
- yā–vā–nar–tha u–da–pā–ne 8 syllables yaa-vaa-nar-tha u-da-paa-ne
- sar–va–taḥ sam–plu–to–da–ke | 8 syllables sar-va-tah sam-plu-to-da-ke
- tā–vān–sar–ve–ṣu ve–de–ṣu 8 syllables taa-vaan-sar-ve-shu ve-de-shu
- brāh–ma–ṇas–ya vi–jā–na–taḥ || 2-46 8 syllables braah-ma-nas-ya vi-jaa-na-tah
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 46
Context
Krishna explains the value of scripture for one who has gone beyond the guṇas (2.45).
Meaning
The image is clear. A well is precious in a dry land, but when water floods everything, the well is no longer needed. In the same way, the Vedas serve as sources of guidance and purification, but for one who has realised the infinite Self, their purposes are already fulfilled. Every particular good is contained in the infinite.
The verse honours scripture while pointing beyond it. Teachings are like wells that bring water to the thirsty; realisation is the flood itself. This prevents spiritual life from becoming attachment to books, rituals or forms. They are means to an end, and their value lies in leading us to what they describe.
In Practice
After reading or hearing a spiritual teaching today, close the book and rest for a minute in direct experience of what it points to.
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.