In the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, this verse marks a major turning point in the discourse. Lord Krishna has just finished His brilliant, multi-faceted argument for action. Now, He pauses to summarize what He has taught and to introduce the next phase of his instruction. The Esa Te Bhihita Sankhye verse acts as a bridge, connecting the analytical knowledge of the soul to the practical art of applying that knowledge in the world.
Sanskrit Verse
एषा तेऽभिहिता साङ्ख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु ।
बुद्ध्या युक्तो यया पार्थ कर्मबन्धं प्रहास्यसि ॥ ३९ ॥Transliteration
eṣā te ’bhihitā sāṅkhye buddhir yoge tv imāṁ śṛṇu
buddhyā yukto yayā pārtha karma-bandhaṁ prahāsyasiWord for Word Translation
eṣā — this; te — to you; abhihitā — has been described; sāṅkhye — by analytical study; buddhiḥ — intelligence; yoge — in the practice of yoga; tu — but; imām — this; śṛṇu — hear; buddhyā — with the intelligence; yuktaḥ — endowed; yayā — by which; pārtha — O son of Pritha; karma-bandham — the bondage of action; prahāsyasi — you will cast away.
English Translation
Thus far I have described this knowledge to you through analytical study. Now listen as I explain it in terms of working without fruitive results. O son of Pritha, when you act with such intelligence, you can free yourself from the bondage of works.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
This verse is the official transition from the “why” to the “how.” Krishna divides His teaching into two distinct categories.
- Eṣā te ’bhihitā sāṅkhye: “This has been described to you in Sāṅkhya.” `Sāṅkhya` here refers to the deep, analytical study of the nature of reality. Everything Krishna has taught from verse 2.11 to 2.38—the eternality of the soul, the temporary nature of the body, the need for equanimity—falls under this category. It is the theoretical knowledge of spirit and matter.
- Buddhir yoge tv imāṁ śṛṇu: “Now hear of the intelligence in Yoga.” Krishna is now introducing a new topic: `Buddhi Yoga`. This is the “yoga of intelligence,” the practical science of how to *use* the intelligence (`buddhi`) to act in the world. It is the application of `Sāṅkhya` knowledge. This is the art of working in a way that leads to spiritual liberation, also known as Karma Yoga.
- Karma-bandhaṁ prahāsyasi: “You will cast away the bondage of karma.” This is the glorious promise of Buddhi Yoga. Arjuna’s initial fear was about incurring sin (`pāpam`). Krishna now tells him that by acting with this special, yoga-infused intelligence, he can completely destroy `karma-bandham`, the chains of karmic reaction that bind one to the cycle of birth and death.
Conclusion
This verse is a roadmap for the rest of the Gita. Krishna has laid the philosophical foundation (`Sāṅkhya`), and now He is about to build the practical structure (`Buddhi Yoga`) upon it. He has given Arjuna the knowledge of his true identity as the eternal soul and is now going to teach him how to live and act in this world in accordance with that knowledge. This is the sublime art of transforming `karma` (binding action) into `yoga` (that which liberates).
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 40 – Nehabhikrama-naso ’sti
