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Chapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga · 47 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 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
6.446.46

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.45

Spiritual effort is not lost

Jīva · The soul

प्रयत्‍नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संश‍ुद्धकिल्बिष: ।

अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥ ४५ ॥

prayatnād yatamānas tu

yogī saṁśuddha-kilbiṣaḥ

aneka-janma-saṁsiddhas

tato yāti parāṁ gatim

Translation

And when the yogī engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further progress, being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, achieving perfection after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

3 study points

Sincere Effort Toward Perfection

  1. 1

    Through sincere effort over many births, the yogī becomes free from all contamination and reaches the supreme goal.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that this supreme perfection is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which includes loving service to the Lord.

  3. 3

    Use favorable conditions to continue your spiritual practice with determination.

Key points from the purport

Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

By making sincere endeavor

After being washed of all contaminations

a

Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu...” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:

After being freed of all material contaminations

And free from all dualities

b

In conclusion — Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice

Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and

Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations

Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

Connected verses · 1

Texts 6.44 & 6.45

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

Further reading

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prayatnātby rigid practice
  2. yatamānaḥendeavoring
  3. tuand
  4. yogīsuch a transcendentalist
  5. saṁśuddhawashed off
  6. kilbiṣaḥall of whose sins
  7. anekaafter many, many
  8. janmabirths
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: mokṣa, dhāma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 6.45 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to liberation & destiny?

Practice

Reflect on what you want to remember at life's end.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 6.40Spiritual effort is not lostBG 6.41Spiritual effort is not lost
Live this todayEngage the Restless Mind in KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 6.34, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
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  3. Lead
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