Sanskrit
यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः सम्प्लुतोदके । तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः ॥
yāvān artha udapāne sarvataḥ samplutodake tāvān sarveṣu vedeṣu brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ
Translation
All the Vedas are as useful to an enlightened Brâhmana as is a tank in a place covered all over with water.
Annie Besant · The Bhagavad-Gita, translated by Annie Besant (4th ed., 1922) — Wikisource · Public Domain
Explanation
A memorable closing image for the whole ritualism critique: once a flood covers the land, a small reservoir dug for drawing water adds nothing new. The Vedas aren’t declared false, just superseded in usefulness once direct understanding is present — a claim about diminishing marginal value, not a rejection of scripture. It’s the last preparatory step before Krishna’s direct, practical instruction begins at verse 47.
Concepts