In Bhagavad Gita 6.41, Krishna says that one who has fallen from yoga, after dwelling long in the worlds of the righteous, is reborn in the home of the pure and prosperous.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकान्
उषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः
शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे
योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते ॥ ६-४१ ॥
prāpya puṇyakṛtāṃ lokān
uṣitvā śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
śucīnāṃ śrīmatāṃ gehe
yogabhraṣṭo’bhijāyate
English transliteration praapya punyakritaam lokaan
ushitvaa shaashvateeh samaah
shucheenaam shreemataam gehe
yogabhrashto’bhijaayate ॥ 6.41 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Having attained the worlds of the righteous and dwelt there for many years, one who has fallen from yoga is born again in the home of the pure and the prosperous.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| प्राप्य prāpya | attaining |
| पुण्यकृताम् puṇyakṛtām | of those who do good puṇya (merit) + kṛtām (doers) |
| लोकान् lokān | worlds |
| उषित्वा uṣitvā | having dwelt |
| शाश्वतीः śāśvatīḥ | many |
| समाः samāḥ | years |
| शुचीनाम् śucīnām | of the pure |
| श्रीमताम् śrīmatām | of the prosperous |
| गेहे gehe | in the home |
| योगभ्रष्टः yogabhraṣṭaḥ | one fallen from yoga yoga (yoga) + bhraṣṭaḥ (fallen) |
| अभिजायते abhijāyate | is born |
Word-wise Chanting
- prāp–ya puṇ–ya–kṛ–tāṃ lo–kān– 8 syllables praap-ya pun-ya-kri-taam lo-kaan-
- u–ṣit–vā śāś–va–tīḥ sa–māḥ | 8 syllables u-shit-vaa shaash-va-teeh sa-maah
- śu–cī–nāṃ śrī–ma–tāṃ ge–he 8 syllables shu-chee-naam shree-ma-taam ge-he
- yo–gabh–raṣ–ṭo–‘bhi–jā–ya–te || 6-41 8 syllables yo-gabh-rash-to-‘bhi-jaa-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 41
Context
Krishna describes what happens to the seeker who falls short (6.41–6.44).
Meaning
The incomplete yogi first enjoys the higher worlds earned by their good deeds. Then they are reborn in a family that is śuci, pure in conduct, and śrīmat, prosperous. Such a family gives a good start in life with fewer obstacles to continuing the spiritual journey.
The verse expresses the continuity of spiritual progress across lives. Nothing is lost. Favourable circumstances are arranged to help the seeker continue. We can see our own gifts and opportunities as fruits of past efforts and use them wisely.
In Practice
Reflect on the good conditions in your life: family, education, health or freedom. Use one of them today to support your spiritual growth.
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.