In Bhagavad Gita 6.43, Krishna says that there the seeker regains the understanding gained in the previous life and strives even harder for perfection.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं
लभते पौर्वदेहिकम्
यतते च ततो भूयः
संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन ॥ ६-४३ ॥
tatra taṃ buddhisaṃyogaṃ
labhate paurvadehikam
yatate ca tato bhūyaḥ
saṃsiddhau kurunandana
English transliteration tatra tam buddhisamyogam
labhate paurvadehikam
yatate cha tato bhooyah
samsiddhau kurunandana ॥ 6.43 ॥
Translation / Meaning
There he regains the wisdom of his former life, and then strives again, even more than before, for perfection, O joy of the Kurus.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तत्र tatra | there |
| तम् tam | that |
| बुद्धिसंयोगम् buddhisaṃyogam | connection with wisdom buddhi (wisdom) + saṃyogam (union) |
| लभते labhate | regains |
| पौर्वदेहिकम् paurvadehikam | of the former body, previous life |
| यतते yatate | strives |
| च ca | and |
| ततः tataḥ | then |
| भूयः bhūyaḥ | more |
| संसिद्धौ saṃsiddhau | for perfection |
| कुरुनन्दन kurunandana | O joy of the Kurus |
Word-wise Chanting
- tat–ra taṃ bud–dhi–saṃ–yo–gaṃ 8 syllables tat-ra tam bud-dhi-sam-yo-gam
- la–bha–te paur–va–de–hi–kam | 8 syllables la-bha-te paur-va-de-hi-kam
- ya–ta–te ca ta–to bhū–yaḥ 8 syllables ya-ta-te cha ta-to bhoo-yah
- saṃ–sid–dhau ku–ru–nan–da–na || 6-43 8 syllables sam-sid-dhau ku-ru-nan-da-na
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 43
Context
Krishna explains how progress continues in the new life (6.43–6.44).
Meaning
In the new life, the seeker recovers the buddhi-saṃyoga, the spiritual understanding developed in the past life. With this foundation, they strive bhūyaḥ, even more intensely, for perfection. The journey continues from where it left off.
This explains why some people seem naturally drawn to spiritual life from an early age, or grasp deep truths quickly. They may be building on past efforts. For all of us, the verse affirms that growth is cumulative and never lost.
In Practice
Notice which spiritual truths feel natural or familiar to you. Treat them as gifts to build upon, and strive a little more today.
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.