In Bhagavad Gita 6.42, Krishna says that such a seeker may instead be born in a family of wise yogis, a birth that is very rare in this world.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अथवा योगिनामेव
कुले भवति धीमताम्
एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं
लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् ॥ ६-४२ ॥
athavā yogināmeva
kule bhavati dhīmatām
etaddhi durlabhataraṃ
loke janma yadīdṛśam
English transliteration athavaa yoginaameva
kule bhavati dheemataam
etaddhi durlabhataram
loke janma yadeedrisham ॥ 6.42 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Or else he is born into a family of wise yogis. Such a birth as this is very difficult to attain in this world.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अथवा athavā | or else |
| योगिनाम् yoginām | of yogis |
| एव eva | indeed |
| कुले kule | in the family |
| भवति bhavati | is born |
| धीमताम् dhīmatām | of the wise |
| एतत् etat | this |
| हि hi | indeed |
| दुर्लभतरम् durlabhataram | very difficult to attain |
| लोके loke | in the world |
| जन्म janma | birth |
| यत् yat | which |
| ईदृशम् īdṛśam | such |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–tha–vā yo–gi–nā–me–va 8 syllables a-tha-vaa yo-gi-naa-me-va
- ku–le bha–va–ti dhī–ma–tām | 8 syllables ku-le bha-va-ti dhee-ma-taam
- e–tad–dhi dur–la–bha–ta–raṃ 8 syllables e-tad-dhi dur-la-bha-ta-ram
- lo–ke jan–ma ya–dī–dṛ–śam || 6-42 8 syllables lo-ke jan-ma ya-dee-dri-sham
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 42
Context
Krishna gives a second possibility for the incomplete yogi (following 6.41).
Meaning
Another possibility is even more fortunate: birth in a family of dhīmat yogis, wise practitioners. Such a birth is durlabhatara, very rare, because spiritual guidance is available from childhood. The seeker who was close to perfection may receive this special opportunity.
Being raised among wise, spiritually mature people is a great blessing. Those who have such influences in their lives should value them. Those who do not can still seek out wise companions, creating their own spiritual family.
In Practice
Seek the company of wise, spiritually mature people this week, through a satsang, a teacher or good books.
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.