In Bhagavad Gita 6.46, Krishna says the yogi is superior to ascetics, to scholars and to those who perform ritual action, and therefore urges Arjuna to be a yogi.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी
ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी
तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ॥ ६-४६ ॥
tapasvibhyo’dhiko yogī
jñānibhyo’pi mato’dhikaḥ
karmibhyaścādhiko yogī
tasmādyogī bhavārjuna
English transliteration tapasvibhyo’dhiko yogee
jnaanibhyo’pi mato’dhikah
karmibhyashchaadhiko yogee
tasmaadyogee bhavaarjuna ॥ 6.46 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The yogi is superior to the ascetics, superior even to the learned, and superior to those who perform ritual action. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तपस्विभ्यः tapasvibhyaḥ | than the ascetics |
| अधिकः adhikaḥ | superior |
| योगी yogī | the yogi |
| ज्ञानिभ्यः jñānibhyaḥ | than the learned |
| अपि api | even |
| मतः mataḥ | is considered |
| अधिकः adhikaḥ | superior |
| कर्मिभ्यः karmibhyaḥ | than ritual performers |
| च ca | and |
| अधिकः adhikaḥ | superior |
| योगी yogī | the yogi |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| योगी yogī | a yogi |
| भव bhava | be |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
Word-wise Chanting
- ta–pas–vibh–yo–‘dhi–ko yo–gī 8 syllables ta-pas-vibh-yo-‘dhi-ko yo-gee
- jñā–nibh–yo–‘pi ma–to–‘dhi–kaḥ | 8 syllables jnaa-nibh-yo-‘pi ma-to-‘dhi-kah
- kar–mibh–yaś–cā–dhi–ko yo–gī 8 syllables kar-mibh-yash-chaa-dhi-ko yo-gee
- tas–mād–yo–gī bha–vār–ju–na || 6-46 8 syllables tas-maad-yo-gee bha-vaar-ju-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 46
Context
Krishna gives a summary exhortation near the end of the chapter.
Meaning
The yogi, one who unites the mind with the Divine through meditation and selfless action, is greater than the tapasvin who practises only austerity, the jñānin who has only book learning, and the karmin who performs only ritual. Yoga integrates and surpasses them all. Hence the call: yogī bhava, be a yogi.
The Gita’s ideal is integration. Austerity, study and action are valuable, but each alone is incomplete. The yogi unites them in a life of inner communion with the Divine. This is the invitation to every reader.
In Practice
Ask yourself which element of yoga is weakest in your life: discipline, understanding, service or meditation. Strengthen it this week.
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.