Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Duty & actionChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.382.40

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.39

Working with resolute intelligence

एषा तेऽभिहिता सांख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां श‍ृणु ।

बुद्ध्या युक्तो यया पार्थ कर्मबन्धं प्रहास्यसि ॥ ३९ ॥

eṣā te ’bhihitā sāṅkhye

buddhir yoge tv imāṁ śṛṇu

buddhyā yukto yayā pārtha

karma-bandhaṁ prahāsyasi

Translation

Thus far I have described this knowledge to you through analytical study. Now listen as I explain it in terms of working without fruitive results. O son of Pṛthā, when you act in such knowledge you can free yourself from the bondage of works.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Working to Please Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1Kṛṣṇa now turns from analytical knowledge to working without seeking rewards. Acting in this knowledge frees one from the bondage of work.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that studying the body and soul leads to devotional service. The soul remains an eternal individual even after liberation.
  3. 3Buddhi-yoga means working to please Kṛṣṇa, not for personal enjoyment. Through such service, Kṛṣṇa grants understanding and liberation.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 2, Contents of the Gītā Summarized: working with resolute intelligence.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Spiritual intelligence

Krishna introduces buddhi-yoga.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.39 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.41Working with resolute intelligenceBG 10.10Intelligence granted through devotionBG 2.40Working with resolute intelligenceBG 3.21Leadership by example

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 2.39 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.