Chapter 6, Verse 46
Dhyana Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
tapasvibhyaḥ—than the ascetics; adhikaḥ—superior; yogī—a yogi; jñānibhyaḥ—than the persons of learning; api—even; mataḥ—considered; adhikaḥ—superior; karmibhyaḥ—than the ritualistic performers; cha—and; adhikaḥ—superior; yogī—a yogi; tasmāt—therefore; yogī—a yogi; bhava—just become; arjuna—Arjun
English translation
The yogi is thought to be superior to the ascetics, even superior to those who have knowledge obtained through the study of scriptures; he is also superior to men of action; therefore, be thou a yogi, O Arjuna.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 6.46
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)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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