FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 6.46

తపస్విభ్యోఽధికో యోగీ జ్ఞానిభ్యోఽపి మతోఽధిక: । కర్మిభ్యశ్చాధికో యోగీ తస్మాద్యోగీ భవార్జున ॥ ౪౬ ॥
tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī
[tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogee]
jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ
[jnaanibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikah]
karmibhyaś cādhiko yogī
[karmibhyash chaadhiko yogee]
tasmād yogī bhavārjuna
[tasmaad yogee bhavaarjuna]
Word-for-word
tapasvibhyaḥ — than the ascetics adhikaḥ — greater yogī — the yogī jñānibhyaḥ — than the wise api — also mataḥ — considered adhikaḥ — greater karmibhyaḥ — than the fruitive workers ca — also adhikaḥ — greater yogī — the yogī tasmāt — therefore yogī — a transcendentalist bhava — just become arjuna — O Arjuna .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī
tapasvibhyaḥ
than the ascetics
jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ
karmibhyaś cādhiko yogī
adhikaḥ
greater
yogī
the yogī
jñānibhyaḥ
than the wise
api
also
tasmād yogī bhavārjuna
mataḥ
considered
adhikaḥ
greater
karmibhyaḥ
than the fruitive workers
ca
also
adhikaḥ
greater
yogī
the yogī
tasmāt
therefore
yogī
a transcendentalist
bhava
just become
arjuna
O Arjuna .
Important Words
  • tapasvibhyaḥ — than the ascetics
    Ablative — 'than those of tapas.' The first of the three categories being compared. Tapasvīs are honored as a class — and the yogī is placed above them by name.
  • adhikaḥ — greater
    From adhi — 'over, above.' The same word recurs three times in the verse, once for each comparison. The repetition is the rhetoric: three higher-thans, three honored categories transcended.
  • jñānibhyaḥ — than the wise
    Ablative plural of jñānī. The second category — the philosophers, the seekers of impersonal Brahman. The yogī surpasses even them. Strong claim, given that jñāna is often presented as the highest path.
  • karmibhyaḥ — than the fruitive workers
    Ablative plural of karmī. The third category — those who perform Vedic rituals for material gain. The yogī surpasses them too.
  • yogī bhava — just become a yogī
    Imperative — bhava, 'become.' Kṛṣṇa's direct command. The whole chapter funnels into this two-word instruction. The pedagogy is complete; the call is now spoken.
  • arjuna — O Arjuna
    Closing vocative. Kṛṣṇa names him personally. The call is not generic — it is to Arjuna, here, now, in his moment of doubt and resolution. The pronoun is the seal.
A yogī is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogī.
Purport

When we speak of yoga we refer to linking our consciousness with the Supreme Absolute Truth. Such a process is named differently by various practitioners in terms of the particular method adopted. When the linking process is predominantly in fruitive activities it is called karma-yoga, when it is predominantly empirical it is called jñāna-yoga, and when it is predominantly in a devotional relationship with the Supreme Lord it is called bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is the ultimate perfection of all yogas, as will be explained in the next verse. The Lord has confirmed herein the superiority of yoga, but He has not mentioned that it is better than bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga is full spiritual knowledge, and therefore nothing can excel it. Asceticism without self-knowledge is imperfect. Empiric knowledge without surrender to the Supreme Lord is also imperfect. And fruitive work without Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a waste of time. Therefore, the most highly praised form of yoga performance mentioned here is bhakti-yoga, and this is still more clearly explained in the next verse.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
46. According to Me, the yogī is better than the tapasvī, better than the jṣānī, and better than the karma-yogī. Therefore be a yogī, Arjuna.
Commentary

Among those practicing karma, jṣāna, tapas and yoga, who is the best? It is My opinion that the yogī, worshipper of Paramātmā, [Note: However, many end up merging into the impersonal Brahman as stated in verse 15.] is better than the performers of austerities such as the difficult cāndrāyaṇa vrata, [Note: This is a fast in which every day food is decreased by a mouthful during the waning phase of the moon, and increased by a mouthful per day during the waxing phase.] and is better than the jṣānīs worshipping Brahman. If the yogī is better than the jṣānīs, it goes without saying that he is better than the karmīs.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
46. According to Me, the yogī is better than the tapasvī, better than the jṣānī, and better than the karma yogī. Therefore, be a yogī, Arjuna.
Commentary

Niṣkāma karma yoga which gives rise to jṣāna and culminates in aṣṭāṅga yoga is the cause of liberation. This is the final result for the fallen yogī. Having indicated this, the present verse praises the yogī. I consider this yogī who practices the yoga described by Me to be superior to those dedicated to austerities, to the jṣānis who are knowledgeable of the meaning of scriptures, and to the followers of karma who perform pious acts and sacrifice with personal desire. Having attained liberation through the appearance of ātmā jṣāna, he is superior to the performers of austerity, the jṣānīs and karmis, who have not attained liberation because of lack of ātmā jṣāna. [Note: The jṣānī and karmī mentioned, who are inferior to the yogī, are not the niṣkāma karma yogī or the jṣānī who is the result of niṣkāma karma and realized ātmā. They are those who do engage in those practices but devoid of niṣkāma karma and devoid of worship of the Lord as prescribed by the Lord in the first six chapters. The niṣkāma karma yogī, the ātma jṣānī and the aṣṭaṅga yogī are all part of the same process, culminating in realization of paramātmā.]

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

The yogi, because he is concentrated on the Supersoul, is better than the karmi, tapasvi or jnani.

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

The tapasvī was mentioned in Bg. 4.28. Although he performs austerities, he has not yet acquired

knowledge. The jñānī has knowledge, and he knows śāstra, but his realization ends at Brahman.

Karmīs and even karma-yogīs tend toward fruitive activities. Therefore they act piously by digging

wells, constructing roads and offering charity. The yogī, however, knows the Supersoul. He is most

advanced. Thus this verse reveals the progressive rungs on the yoga ladder by clearly glorifying

yogīs above karmīs, jñānīs and tapasvīs. Kṛṣṇa now gives his final statement about the yogī of the

highest calibre

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
6.46 A yogi is adhikah, higher; tapasvibhyah, than men of austerity; he is matah, considered; adhikah, higher than, superior to; api, even; jnanibhyah, men of knowledge. Jnana here means scriptural learning. (A yogi is superior) to even those who possess that (learning). The yogi is adhikah, higher, greater; karmibhyah, than men of action-karma means Agnihotra etc.; (greater) than those who adhere to them. Since this is so, tasmat, therefore; O Arjuna, bhava, do you become a yogi.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
6.46 Whatever end of human endeavour is attained by mere austerity, by knowledge of different subjects (i.e., different from experience of the self) and by mere rituals like the horse-sacrifice etc., greater than all these is the end achieved through Yoga. Conseently the Yogin is superior to those who practise austerity, to those who possess learning and to those who perform rituals. Therefore, O Arjuna, become a Yogin. Thus, so far the vision of the self, which has been expounded in the teaching of Prajapati as forming a part of supreme Vidya, has been taught; then Sri Krsna extols that supreme Vidya:
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
6.46 Tapasvibhyah etc. The superiority [of Yogin] over the men of austerities has already been indicated. The knowledge is the fruit of Yoga. Hence Yogin's superiority over the men of knowledge. He is superior to men of action, because he alone knows how to perform action. The God-discarding difficult Yoga, does not itself yield success. This is stated [as]-
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
6.46 The Yogi is thought to be superior to the ascetics and even superior to men of knowledge (obtained through the study of scriptures); he is also superior to men of action; therefore be thou a Yogi, O Arjuna.
Commentary

6.46 तपस्विभ्यः than ascetics? अधिकः superior? योगी the Yogi? ज्ञानिभ्यः than the wise? अपि even? मतः thought? अधिकः superior? कर्मिभ्यः than the men of action? च and? अधिकः superior? योगी the Yogi? तस्मात् therefore? योगी a Yogi? भव be? अर्जुन O Arjuna.Commentary Tapasvi One who observes the austerities of speech? mind and body prescribed in chapter XVII. 14? 15 and 16.Jnani One who has a knowledge of the scriptures (an indirect knowledge or theoretical knowledge of the Self).Karmi He who performs the Vedic rituals.To all these the Yogi is superior? for he has the direct knowledge of the Self through intuition or direct cognition through Nirvikalpa Samadhi. (Cf.V.2XII.12XIII.24)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
6.46 A yogi is higher than men of austerity; he is considered higher even than men of knowledge. The yogi is also higher than men of action. Therefore, O Arjuna, do you become a yogi.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
6.46 The wise man is superior to the ascetic and to the scholar and to the man of action; therefore be thou a wise man, O Arjuna!
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 3.7 BG 5.2 BG 6.47 SB 11.20.7 SB 3.29.13 SB 11.14.21 CC Madhya 19.167 CC Madhya 22.21 CC Madhya 24.46 Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23BRS 1.1.11
Concepts
Bhava
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
A yogi is greater than the ascetic, the empiricist, the fruitive worker — therefore, become a yogi.
Practical Applications
  • Aim for yoga (devotional connection) rather than mere asceticism, scholarship, or activity.
  • Honor each path while pursuing the highest.
  • Treat 'become a yogi' as Kṛṣṇa's direct instruction.
Reflection Questions
  • Where have I settled for a lower path because it's familiar?
  • What would becoming a yogi mean for my next month?
Analogy

Three rivers — one of austerity, one of philosophical study, one of fruitive work — all run toward the sea. The yogī's stream is the fourth, and Kṛṣṇa says it cuts the most direct channel. The other three are not denied. They are honored. But the yogī is named, three times in one verse, as the higher current.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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