yatha -- as; adridhaih -- which are inadequate; karma-mayaih -- based on fruitive activity; kratubhih -- by ritual sacrifices; nama -- in name only; nau-nibhaih -- which serve as boats; vidyam -- knowledge; anvikshikim -- spiritual; hitva -- abandoning; titirshanti -- they try to cross beyond; bhava-arnavam -- the ocean of material existence.

Their taking shelter of Krishna is just like the foolish attempt of men who abandon transcendental knowledge of the self and instead try to cross over the great ocean of material existence in the false boats of fruitive, ritual sacrifices.