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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.452.47

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.46

Transcending material modes and aims

यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः सम्प्लुतोदके ।

तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ॥ ४६ ॥

yāvān artha uda-pāne

sarvataḥ samplutodake

tāvān sarveṣu vedeṣu

brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ

Translation

All purposes served by a small well can at once be served by a great reservoir of water. Similarly, all the purposes of the Vedas can be served to one who knows the purpose behind them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

The Purpose of the Vedas

  1. 1A great reservoir serves all the purposes of a small well. Similarly, knowing the Vedas’ purpose fulfills all their purposes.
  2. 2The Vedas aim to help us know Lord Kṛṣṇa and understand our eternal relationship with Him.
  3. 3Chanting the Lord’s holy name without offenses serves the highest purpose of Vedic wisdom.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 2, Contents of the Gītā Summarized: transcending material modes and aims.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.46 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

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 2.45Transcending material modes and aimsBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 2.46 — 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.