A declaration · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Clear discernment is richer than reward-chasing.”
Action driven by craving is far below the steadiness of clear discernment. Seek refuge in clear discernment, for those who chase results are pitiable.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallyfar · indeed · inferior · action · to the yoga of discernment · O Dhananjaya · in discernment · refuge · seek · pitiable ones · those who are motivated by results
Action done for rewards is lower than action guided by clear discernment. Krishna tells Arjuna to rely on that steadiness instead of craving outcomes.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Verse 49 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
You send the message, then keep checking for the reply every two minutes. The mind that needs a payoff has already lost its steadiness.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts attention from outcome-chasing to the stability of right seeing.
What this verse means
Action done for rewards is lower than action guided by clear discernment. Krishna tells Arjuna to rely on that steadiness instead of craving outcomes.
Context & commentary
On the Kurukshetra field, Arjuna is still frozen between battle and conscience. Krishna sharpens the teaching: action ruled by reward is inferior to action guided by steady discernment, and the wise refuge is the clear mind.
Why this verse still matters
You send the message, then keep checking for the reply every two minutes. The mind that needs a payoff has already lost its steadiness.
“You can stop measuring your worth by what you get back.”
Explore related themes: sattva (26 verses), clarity (10 verses)