Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 6 Dhyana Yogah

Dhyana Yogah - Having attained the worlds of the virtuous and residing there for many years, one who has strayed from yoga is born in a virtuous and prosperous family.

प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वती: समा: |
शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते ||41||

Having attained the worlds of the virtuous and residing there for many years, one who has strayed from yoga is born in a virtuous and prosperous family.

Śucīnām: Of the virtuous.
Śrīmatām: Of the prosperous or wealthy.

The idea of rebirth in a virtuous or spiritually advanced family introduces the continuity of spiritual progress. Krishna depicts life as a continuum of opportunities for growth.

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अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् |
एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् ||42||

Or, he is born in the family of wise yogis, which indeed is a rare birth in this world.

Yoginām: Of the yogis.
Dhīmatām: Of the wise or intelligent.

Being born in the family of yogis is described as rare and fortunate. This shloka highlights the advantage of an environment conducive to spiritual development.

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तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम् |
यतते च ततो भूय: संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन ||43||

There, he regains the intellect acquired in his previous life and strives harder for perfection, O descendant of Kuru.

Buddhi-saṁyogaṁ: Union of intellect.
Paurva-dehikam: Belonging to the previous body.

Krishna explains how past impressions propel one toward perfection in yoga. This verse assures that no effort on the spiritual path is ever lost, inspiring hope.

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Dhyana Yogah - By the force of the previous practice, he is irresistibly carried forward, even against his will. Even the inquisitive transcends the Vedas.

पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि स: |
जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ||44||

By the force of the previous practice, he is irresistibly carried forward, even against his will. Even the inquisitive transcends the Vedas.

Hriyate: Drawn or carried forward.
Śabda-brahma: The Vedic sound or eternal word.

Even unintentional efforts in yoga transcend worldly knowledge. Krishna assures that sincere seekers, driven by previous efforts, will surpass material limitations.

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प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिष: |
अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ||45||

Striving diligently and purifying his heart, the yogi achieves perfection after many lifetimes and reaches the supreme goal.

Kilbiṣaḥ: Sins or impurities.
Saṁsiddhaḥ: Perfected or accomplished.

Perfection in yoga is achieved through diligent effort and purification of the heart. Krishna emphasizes the cumulative nature of spiritual progress across lifetimes.

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तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिक: |
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ||46||

The yogi is superior to ascetics, superior to scholars, and superior to ritualists. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi.

Tapasvibhyaḥ: More than ascetics.
Karmibhyaḥ: More than performers of actions.

Krishna declares the yogi superior to other paths of asceticism, ritualism, or scholarship. This verse establishes yoga as the most effective means of self-realization.

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योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना |
श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मत: ||47||

Among all yogis, the one with faith who always worships Me with heart and soul absorbed in Me is considered the highest.

Śraddhāvān: One with faith.
Mad-gata: Absorbed in Me.

Faith and devotion are presented as the highest forms of yoga. Krishna concludes by affirming that those who love and worship Him wholeheartedly are the most evolved yogis.

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