Bhagavad Gītā · Chapter 2, Verse 46
यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः संप्लुतोदके।
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः।।
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः।।
yāvān artha udapāne sarvataḥ samplutodake
tāvānsarveṣu vedeṣu brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ
also searched as "yavan artha udapane sarvatah samplutodake"
Translation
What use does a thirsty person have for a water reservoir when all sides of it are flooded—that is the only use of all the Vedas for a Brahmana who knows.
Vāṇi's rendering
When water floods the land, who needs a well? So are all the scriptures to one who truly knows.
Word by word
| Sanskrit & transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यावान्yāvān | as much as |
| अर्थःartha(ḥ) | use, purpose (final ḥ dropped by sandhi before udapāne) |
| उदपानेudapāne | in a well, a dug water-hole |
| सर्वतःsarvataḥ | on every side, all around |
| संप्लुतोदकेsamplutodake | in a place flooded over with water (sampluta, flooded + udaka, water) |
| तावान्tāvān | that much, just so much |
| सर्वेषुsarveṣu | in all |
| वेदेषुvedeṣu | in the Vedas, the scriptures |
| ब्राह्मणस्यbrāhmaṇasya | of/for a knowing Brahmin (Brāhmaṇa) |
| विजानतःvijānataḥ | of one who truly knows |
Frequently asked
What does Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 46 mean?
Krishna compares the Vedas to a well and realisation to a flood. A well serves a real thirst, and there is no scorn in the image. But when water stands everywhere, the well loses its special claim. For one who knows, the scriptures have not become false — they have become unnecessary as a place to go.
What does yavan artha udapane sarvatah samplutodake mean?
Yāvān artha udapāne — as much use as there is in a well. Sarvataḥ samplutodake — when water lies flooded on every side. Krishna sets the small dug hole against the risen river. Tāvān, just that much, is what all the Vedas hold for one who has truly known.
Is Krishna saying the scriptures are useless?
No. He is saying they are a means, and means end. The well was dug by careful hands and it saved lives. Krishna's quarrel is not with the Vedas but with clinging to them after they have delivered you. Keep studying. Just do not confuse the well with the water.
How do I know when I no longer need the teaching?
You will not decide it by argument. The verse gives a plain test: the flood is everywhere, or it is not. If you are still thirsty, go to the well and drink without embarrassment. The teaching releases you when it releases you. Until then, keep drawing.
Themes in this verse
Read every verse this way, held — inside Vāṇi.
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Commentary
Krishna has just called the Vedas a marketplace of desires. Now he gives them their place. A well is not worthless — it is precious, until the river rises and covers the field. Then you do not walk to the well; you are standing in water. The scriptures are the well. They were dug for a thirst, and they are good for it. But one who knows does not carry a bucket to the flood; he is already wet. Arjuna has been quoting scripture at Krishna all morning, and it will not fight this battle. Read everything you must. Then notice when the reading has done its work, and put it down.