In Bhagavad Gita 6.44, Krishna says that by the force of past practice the seeker is carried forward, even without wishing it; even one who merely inquires about yoga goes beyond the ritual of the Vedas.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव
ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः
जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य
शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ॥ ६-४४ ॥
pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva
hriyate hyavaśo’pi saḥ
jijñāsurapi yogasya
śabdabrahmātivartate
English transliteration poorvaabhyaasena tenaiva
hriyate hyavasho’pi sah
jijnaasurapi yogasya
shabdabrahmaativartate ॥ 6.44 ॥
Translation / Meaning
By the force of that former practice he is carried forward, even without his own will. Even one who merely seeks to know about yoga transcends the ritual words of the Vedas.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पूर्वाभ्यासेन pūrvābhyāsena | by former practice pūrva (former) + abhyāsena (by practice) |
| तेन tena | by that |
| एव eva | indeed |
| ह्रियते hriyate | is carried |
| हि hi | indeed |
| अवशः avaśaḥ | helplessly, without his will |
| अपि api | even |
| सः saḥ | he |
| जिज्ञासुः jijñāsuḥ | one who seeks to know |
| अपि api | even |
| योगस्य yogasya | of yoga |
| शब्दब्रह्म śabdabrahma | the ritual words of the Vedas śabda (word) + brahma (Veda) |
| अतिवर्तते ativartate | transcends |
Word-wise Chanting
- pūr–vābh–yā–se–na te–nai–va 8 syllables poor-vaabh-yaa-se-na te-nai-va
- hri–ya–te hya–va–śo–‘pi saḥ | 8 syllables hri-ya-te hya-va-sho-‘pi sah
- ji–jñā–su–ra–pi yo–gas–ya 8 syllables ji-jnaa-su-ra-pi yo-gas-ya
- śab–dab–rah–mā–ti–var–ta–te || 6-44 8 syllables shab-dab-rah-maa-ti-var-ta-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 44
Context
Krishna explains the power of past practice (continuing 6.43).
Meaning
The impressions of past practice act like a current that carries the seeker forward, avaśa, almost involuntarily. Even a jijñāsu, one who merely has a sincere desire to know about yoga, goes beyond śabda-brahman, the ritual portion of the Vedas. Sincere inquiry itself is powerful.
Spiritual effort creates momentum. Even if we lapse, the impressions of past practice draw us back. And the sincere wish to know the truth already sets us on a higher path than mere ritual. Every step of genuine seeking matters.
In Practice
Notice how spiritual interest keeps returning to you, even after periods of neglect. Thank that momentum, and add to it 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.