Gita : Ch-6. Slo-46.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :

Chapter-6. ( Dhyana-yogam )

Slokam-46.  (  A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi ).


tapasvibhyodhiko  yogi  jnanibhyopi  matodhikah

karmibhyascadhiko  yogi  tasmadyogi  bhavarjuna.



yogi  =   the   dyana-yogi;

tapasvibhyah  adhikah   =   sreshtan  (greater/ far superior), than  the  ordinary  tapasvi-s (  the ascetic );

jnanibhyah  api  adhikah   =   also  sreshtan, than  the  pundits  of  sastra-s   ( than  the  wise );

karmibhyascah   yogi   =    also  yogi  far  superior  than  workers  with  the  aim  of  fruits;

adhikah  (iti)  matah   =   he  is  sreshtan   and  this  is  my  opinion.

tasmat  arjuna!   =   therefore, hey  arjuna!

yogi  bhava   =   just  become  dyana-yogi.


The result of yoga or the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness verifies that the yogi is greater than the ascetics who perform ritualistic penance's like Chandrayana or fasting with the cycles of the moon, the jnani's or knowers of Vedic scripture without the requisite realisation and the karmi's or those who perform prescribed Vedic activities for fruitive results and rewards such as Ishta's or rites and rituals for attaining material gains in the present life or in svarga loka the heavenly spheres in the afterlife and Purta or acts of charity such as well digging for public use, giving food in charity etc. Therefore Lord Krishna is encouraging Arjuna to be a yogi.

As yoga or the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciouness leads to the highest aspiration of human existence. It is known that yoga is greater what is attainable by ascetics living austerities, greater than what is attainable by Vedic knowledge that is bereft of knowledge of the soul and greater than what is attained by the performance of ritualistic ceremonies prescribed in the Vedas concerning fruitive rewards. Hence the yogi is superior to all these. Thus Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to become a yogi. This verse is a eulogy on higher theosophy and it relates to the acquisition of atma tattva or realisation of the soul as the preliminary step to God realisation.

Therefore a person sincerely seeking their eternal well being should rely on yoga more than any other means for accomplishing the fundamental purpose of human existence. The yogi or one perfecting the science of the individual consciousness with the ultimate consciousness is superior to the ascetics who practice ritualistic austerities like the fasting vows which follow the cycle of the moon. The yogi is regarded to be superior to those who are well versed and knowledgeable of the Vedic scriptures and a yogi is also superior to those who perform prescribed Vedic activities for fruitive results like an Agnihotra or fire sacrifice. Therefore Lord Krishna is encouraging Arjuna to be a yogi.

To be continued ...