Those without clear seeing speak flowery words that promise birth and action-fruit, and describe many rites for enjoyment and power.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 2.43
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे पृथानन्दन जो कामनाओंमें तन्मय हो रहे हैं, स्वर्गको ही श्रेष्ठ माननेवाले हैं, वेदोंमें कहे हुए सकाम कर्मोंमें प्रीति रखनेवाले हैं, भोगोंके सिवाय और कुछ है ही नहीं ऐसा कहनेवाले हैं, वे अविवेकी मनुष्य इस प्रकारकी जिस पुष्पित दिखाऊ शोभायुक्त वाणीको कहा करते हैं, जो कि जन्मरूपी कर्मफलको देनेवाली है तथा भोग और ऐश्वर्यकी प्राप्तिके लिये बहुतसी क्रियाओंका वर्णन करनेवाली है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
कामात्मानःthose whose minds are full of desireस्वर्गपराwith heaven as their highest aimजन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम्giving the fruits of birth and actionक्रियाविशेषबहुलाम्full of many special ritesभोगैश्वर्यगतिम्a path to enjoyment and powerप्रतिtoward
Read literallythose whose minds are full of desire · with heaven as their highest aim · giving the fruits of birth and action · full of many special rites · a path to enjoyment and power · toward
Understanding the verse
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It trains you to spot teachings that increase wanting instead of reducing it.
People driven by desire praise rituals that promise pleasure, status, and future rewards. Their words sound attractive, but they keep the mind chasing more rewards.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen, and Krishna begins separating clear seeing from desire-driven speech. After warning about flowery promises, he points to teachings that lure people toward enjoyment, status, and future reward instead of freedom.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
A polished ad, a glossy seminar, a mentor promising status if you just follow the system — it all sounds convincing until you notice it is feeding craving, not clearing it.
The takeaway
“Not every impressive teaching frees you. Some teachings only dress up craving.”
People driven by desire praise rituals that promise pleasure, status, and future rewards. Their words sound attractive, but they keep the mind chasing more rewards.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.43?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 2.43?
Verse 43 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 2.43 matter today?
A polished ad, a glossy seminar, a mentor promising status if you just follow the system — it all sounds convincing until you notice it is feeding craving, not clearing it.
It trains you to spot teachings that increase wanting instead of reducing it.
What this verse means
People driven by desire praise rituals that promise pleasure, status, and future rewards. Their words sound attractive, but they keep the mind chasing more rewards.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen, and Krishna begins separating clear seeing from desire-driven speech. After warning about flowery promises, he points to teachings that lure people toward enjoyment, status, and future reward instead of freedom.
Why this verse still matters
A polished ad, a glossy seminar, a mentor promising status if you just follow the system — it all sounds convincing until you notice it is feeding craving, not clearing it.
“Not every impressive teaching frees you. Some teachings only dress up craving.”