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Chapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga · 47 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Liberation & destinyChapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga

6.43 6.45

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.44

Spiritual effort is not lost

Jīva · The soul

पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि स: ।

जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ॥ ४४ ॥

pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva

hriyate hy avaśo ’pi saḥ

jijñāsur api yogasya

śabda-brahmātivartate

Translation

By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically becomes attracted to the yogic principles – even without seeking them. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist stands always above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Naturally Drawn to Yoga

1
Divine consciousness from a previous life naturally draws a person to yoga, even without seeking it, placing them above scriptural rituals.
2
Prabhupāda explains that advanced yogīs are drawn to yoga rather than rituals. Yoga can lead them to full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the highest perfection.
3
Value chanting the Lord’s holy names: the purport describes those who chant as far advanced in spiritual life, regardless of their birth.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 6.43–44

After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives

Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them

They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures

Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success

Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life — Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

“Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas

They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,

Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata...”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced

Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma)

Connected verses · 1

Texts 6.44 & 6.45

Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal

The Destination Of The Unsuccessful Yogi

Unsuccessful transcendentalists obtain either heavenly enjoyment followed by an aristocratic birth(if they are slightly advanced) or birth in a family of wise transcendentalists that bring them immediate further training (if they are more advanced)

Chapter 6, section V: The Destination Of The Unsuccessful Yogi