In Bhagavad Gita 6.22, Krishna says that having gained this, one considers no other gain greater, and established in it, one is not shaken even by the heaviest sorrow.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं
मन्यते नाधिकं ततः
यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन
गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ॥ ६-२२ ॥
yaṃ labdhvā cāparaṃ lābhaṃ
manyate nādhikaṃ tataḥ
yasminsthito na duḥkhena
guruṇāpi vicālyate
English transliteration yam labdhvaa chaaparam laabham
manyate naadhikam tatah
yasminsthito na duhkhena
gurunaapi vichaalyate ॥ 6.22 ॥
Translation / Meaning
having gained which, one thinks there is no greater gain, and being established in which, one is not shaken even by the heaviest sorrow,
Verses 6.20–6.23 form one sentence describing the state of yoga.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यम् yam | which |
| लब्ध्वा labdhvā | having gained |
| च ca | and |
| अपरम् aparam | other |
| लाभम् lābham | gain |
| मन्यते manyate | thinks |
| न na | not |
| अधिकम् adhikam | greater |
| ततः tataḥ | than that |
| यस्मिन् yasmin | in which |
| स्थितः sthitaḥ | established |
| न na | not |
| दुःखेन duḥkhena | by sorrow |
| गुरुणा guruṇā | heavy |
| अपि api | even |
| विचाल्यते vicālyate | is shaken |
Word-wise Chanting
- yaṃ lab–dhvā cā–pa–raṃ lā–bhaṃ 8 syllables yam lab-dhvaa chaa-pa-ram laa-bham
- man–ya–te nā–dhi–kaṃ ta–taḥ | 8 syllables man-ya-te naa-dhi-kam ta-tah
- yas–min–sthi–to na duḥ–khe–na 8 syllables yas-min-sthi-to na duh-khe-na
- gu–ru–ṇā–pi vi–cāl–ya–te || 6-22 8 syllables gu-ru-naa-pi vi-chaal-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 6 Verse 22
Context
The description of the state of yoga continues from 6.21.
Meaning
Two marks of this state are given. First, nothing else seems as valuable: all other gains pale in comparison. Second, even guru duḥkha, the heaviest sorrow, cannot shake the yogi. Loss, illness and grief still come, but the inner foundation remains unshaken.
This is the ultimate security: not the absence of hardship, but a foundation so deep that hardship cannot destroy it. Everything else we gain can be lost; this alone remains. It is worth more than every other achievement.
In Practice
Reflect on what you consider your greatest gain in life. Ask whether it could survive the heaviest sorrow, and seek what can.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.