Upanishads · Kṛṣṇa 2.17
॥
Devanāgarī
एतदधीयानः सर्वक्रतुफलं लभते
Transliteration (IAST)
etadadhīyānaḥ sarvakratuphalaṃ labhate
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
एतत् अधीयानःetat adhīyānaḥstudying this
सर्व-क्रतु-फलं लभतेsarva-kratu-phalaṃ labhateobtains the fruit of all sacrifices
Translation
"Studying this, one obtains the fruit of all sacrifices."
Version
78062e979f3e · published Aug 12, 2026, 5:00:00 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
An equation of the kind we read in the Mahāvākya (p25) and the Prāṇāgnihotra (4.7); and there the main point was said: such equations equalize rights. Let us add what is worth saying about the word kratu, "sacrifice," for it is not chosen at random here. Kratu is a great sacrifice, requiring years of preparation, herds of cattle, and a multitude of priests: aśvamedha, rājasūya, vājapeya.
This is the most costly thing a person could perform. And here it is said: the fruit of all of them — for reading. It is worth noting that such equations appear in the upaniṣads precisely when the great sacrifices become inaccessible; and they are, in essence, an answer to impoverishment.
The Vaiṣṇava side has carried this answer to its limit and grounded it directly. The Bhāgavatam says that in the present age people are manda-bhāgya, "luckless," and upadruta, "beset" (1.1.10); and so a means is given that requires neither wealth nor leisure. Let us add what must be kept in mind here, lest the equation turn into cheapness.
The sacrifice cost one's whole estate. If reading is equal to it, then from reading too a proportionate measure is expected: not to skim with the eyes, but to give it as much time and attention as was given to the sacrifice. Otherwise the equation turns into what a mocker takes it to be: a way to receive much while giving nothing.