श्रीमद् भगवद्गीता

मूल श्लोकः

यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः संप्लुतोदके।

तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः।।2.46।।

Hindi Translation Of Sri Shankaracharya's Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Harikrishnadas Goenka

।।2.46।।सम्पूर्ण वेदोक्त कर्मोंके जो अनन्त फल हैं उन फलोंको यदि कोई न चाहता हो तो वह उन कर्मोंका अनुष्ठान ईश्वरके लिये क्यों करे इसपर कहते हैं सुन

जैसे जगत्में कूप तालाब आदि अनेक छोटेछोटे जलाशयोंमें जितना स्नानपान आदि प्रयोजन सिद्ध होता है वह सब प्रयोजन सब ओरसे परिपूर्ण महान् जलाशयमें उतने ही परिमाणमें ( अनायास ) सिद्ध हो जाता है। अर्थात् उसमें उनका अन्तर्भाव है।
इसी तरह सम्पूर्ण वेदोंमें यानी वेदोक्त कर्मोंसे जो प्रयोजन सिद्ध होता है अर्थात् जो कुछ उन कर्मोंका फल मिलता है वह समस्त प्रयोजन परमार्थतत्त्वको जाननेवाले ब्राह्मणका यानी संन्यासीका जो सब ओरसे परिपूर्ण महान् जलाशयस्थानीय विज्ञान आनन्दरूप फल है उसमें उतने ही परिमाणमें ( अनायास ) सिद्ध हो जाता है। अर्थात् उसमें उसका अन्तर्भाव है।
श्रुतिमें भी कहा है कि जिसको वह ( रैक्व ) जानता है उस ( परब्रह्म ) को जो भी कोई जानता है वह उन सबके फलको पा जाता है कि जो कुछ प्रजा अच्छा कार्य करती है। आगे गीतामें भी कहेंगे कि सम्पूर्ण कर्म ज्ञानमें समाप्त हो जाते हैं। इत्यादि।
सुतरां यद्यपि कूप तालाब आदि छोटे जलाशयोंकी भाँति कर्म अल्प फल देनेवाले हैं तो भी ज्ञाननिष्ठाका अधिकार मिलनेसे पहलेपहले कर्माधिकारीको कर्म करना चाहिये।

English Translation of Ramanuja's Sanskrit Commentary By Swami Adidevananda

2.46 Whatever use, a thirsty person has for a reservoir, which is flooded with water on all sides and which has been constructed for all kinds of purposes like irrigation, only to that extent of it, i.e., enough to drink will be of use to the thirsty person and not all the water. Likewise, whatever in all the Vedas from the means for release to a knowing Brahmana, i.e., one who is established in the study of the Vedas and who aspires for release only to that extent is it to be accepted by him and not anything else. Sri Krsna now says that this much alone is to be accepted by an aspirant, established in Sattva:

English Translation Of Sri Shankaracharya's Sanskrit Commentary By Swami Gambirananda

2.46 If there be no need for the infinite results of all the rites and duties mentioned in the Vedas, then why should they be performed as a dedication to God? Listen to the answer being given: In the world, yavan, whatever; arthah, utility, use, like bathing, drinking, etc.; one has udapane, in a well, pond and other numerous limited reservoirs; all that, indeed, is achieved, i.e. all those needs are fulfilled to that very extent; sampluhtodake, when there is a flood; sarvatah, all arount. In a similar manner, whatever utility, result of action, there is sarvesu, in all; the vedesu, Vedas, i.e. in the rites and duties mentioned in the Vedas; all that utility is achieved, i.e. gets fulfilled; tavan, to that very extent; in that result of realization which comes brahmanasya, to a Brahmana, a sannyasin; vijanatah, who knows the Reality that is the supreme Goal that result being comparable to the flood all around. For there is the Upanisadic text, '৷৷.so all virtuous deeds performed by people get included in this one৷৷.who knows what he (Raikva) knows৷৷.' (Ch. 4.1.4). The Lord also will say, 'all actions in their totality culminate in Knowledge' (4.33). [The Commentators otation from the Ch. relates to meditation on the alified Brahman. Lest it be concluded that the present verse relates to knowledge of the alified Brahman only, he otes again from the Gita toshow that the conclusion holds good in the case of knowledge of the absolute Brahman as well.] Therefore, before one attains the fitness for steadfastness in Knowledge, rites and duties, even though they have (limited) utility as that of a well, pond, etc., have to be undertaken by one who is fit for rites and duties.