यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः संप्लुतोदके। तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानतः।।2.46।।
yāvān arthaḥ udapāne sarvataḥ sampluta‑udake | tāvān sarveṣu vedeṣu brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ ||
Translation
Whatever purpose is served by a small well of water is naturally served in all respects by a large lake. Similarly, one who realizes the Absolute Truth also fulfills the purpose of all the Vedas.
Word Meanings
yāvān — all that; arthaḥ — purpose, meaning; udapāne — in a small well; sarvataḥ — in all respects; sampluta-udake — in a great reservoir of water; tāvān — likewise; sarveṣu — in all; vedeṣu — in the Vedas; brāhmaṇasya — of the one who knows the Supreme Brahman; vijānataḥ — who is fully realized
Understanding the Verse
Verse 2.46 uses a vivid natural metaphor to illustrate the comprehensive nature of true knowledge. The "small well" (udapāna) represents limited, partial understanding, while the "great reservoir" (sampluta‑udaka) symbolizes the vast, all‑encompassing wisdom of a realized soul. Just as the water from a tiny well can only satisfy a few, a lake can quench the thirst of many; the larger source inherently contains the capacity of the smaller one. In the same way, the seeker who attains Brahman‑knowledge (brāhmaṇasya vijānataḥ) does not merely understand isolated scriptures; he embodies the essence of all Vedic teachings.
The verse emphasizes that spiritual realization is not a fragmentary accomplishment but a totality that makes individual scriptural study redundant. When the Supreme Truth is known, the teachings of the Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas converge into a single living reality. This convergence eliminates the need for scholarly differentiation because the realized being perceives the underlying unity that pervades every mantra, hymn, and philosophical discourse.
Krishna's analogy also underscores the functional aspect of knowledge. A well, though functional, has limited reach, while a lake can irrigate fields, support ecosystems, and provide for communities. Likewise, a partial understanding may guide a person through isolated situations, but the realization of Brahman equips one to navigate all dimensions of existence—ethical, spiritual, and material. The realized soul acts as a source of compassion, wisdom, and equanimity, influencing the world much like a lake sustains life around it.
Moreover, the verse subtly refutes any notion that scriptural study alone can lead to liberation. While the Vedas are indeed profound, they are ultimately pointers toward the ultimate reality. Without the internal transformation that constitutes "vijānataḥ," the scriptures remain external objects of study. True knowledge transforms the seeker into a living embodiment of the Vedic spirit, making the external texts a natural outflow of his being.
In practical terms, this teaching encourages aspirants to seek experiential understanding through meditation, self‑inquiry, and devotion rather than merely accumulating intellectual knowledge. When the inner reservoir of consciousness expands, every external teaching finds its rightful place within, just as a lake holds the waters of many tributaries. The verse thus invites a shift from a fragmented, academic approach to a holistic, integrative realization that fulfills the purpose of all revealed wisdom.
