Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga

In the Bhagavad Gita’s sixth chapter called “Dhyana Yoga,” Krishna teaches about the “Yoga of Meditation.” He talks about how actions play a role in getting ready for meditation. Krishna explains that doing duties with devotion helps clear the mind and makes spiritual awareness stronger.

Verse 1

Shree Bhagavaan uvaacha:
anaashritaha karmaphalam kaaryam karma karoti yaha |
sa sannyaasi cha yogi cha na niragnirana chaakriyaha ||

Synonyms:

Anaashritaha – without depending
Karmaphalam – fruits of actions
Kaaryam – duty
Karma – action
Sa – that person
Sannyaasi – renunciant
Yogi – yogi
Na – not
Niragnihi – devoid of fire (one who has renounced fire sacrifices)
Na cha akriyaha – nor the non-doer

Verse Translation: “Shree Bhagavaan said:

One who performs their duties without expecting the fruits of the actions is a true renunciant, a true yogi, not the one who merely abstains from action nor the one who merely performs rituals without offering.”

Verse 2

yam sannyaasamiti praahuryogam tam viddhi paandava |
na hyasannyastasankalpo yogi bhavati kashchana ||

Synonyms:

Yam: That which
Sannyaasamiti: Renunciation or the vow of renunciation
Praahuryogam: Is known as yoga
Tam: That
Viddhi: Understand
Paandava: O son of Pandu (referring to Arjuna)
Na: Not
Hi: Certainly
Asannyasta-sankalpah: Without renouncing desires
Yogi: The yogi
Bhavati: Becomes
Kashchana: Anyone

Verse Translation: “O son of Pandu, know that to be called renunciation as yoga. No one becomes a yogi without renouncing desires, Arjuna.”

Verse 3

aarurukshormuneryogam karma kaaranamuchyate |
yogaroodhasya tasyaiva shamah kaaranamuchyate ||

Synonyms:

Aarurukshuh: One who is about to attain.
Muner: Sage.
Yogam: Yoga.
Karma: Action.
Kaaranam: Cause.
Uchyate: Is said.
Yogaroodhasya: One established in yoga.
Tasya: For him.
Eva: Indeed.
Shamah: Restraint

Verse Translation: “Action is said to be the cause that brings a living being into existence in this world. The restraint of the senses is said to be the cause for one established in yoga.”

Verse 4

yada hi nendriyaartheshu na karmasvanushajjate |
sarvasankalpasannyaasi yogaaroodhastadochyate ||

Synonyms:

Yada: When.
Hi: Indeed.
Na: Not.
Indriyaartheshu: In sense objects.
Na: Nor.
Karmasu: In actions.
Anushajjate: Attached.
Sarva: All.
Sankalpa: Thoughts/desires.
Sannyaasi: Renunciate.
Yogaaroodhah: Attained to yoga.
Tad: That.
Uchyate: Is said

Verse Translation: “When a person neither longs for sensual pleasures nor is attached to the performance of actions, they are said to have attained to yoga, having renounced all thoughts.”

Verse 5

banduraatmaatmanastasya yenatmaivaatmanaa jitaha |
anaatmanastu shatrutve vartetaatmaiva shatruvat ||

Synonyms:

Bandhu: Friend
Atma: Self
Atmana: By the self
Jitaha: Conquered
Anatmana: By the non-self
Shatrutve: In the position of an enemy
Atmaiva: Self alone
Shatruvat: Like an enemy

Verse Translation: “The self is the friend of oneself for one who has conquered oneself by oneself, but for one who has not conquered oneself, the self remains inimical like an enemy.”

Verse 6

jnaanavignyaanatriptaatmaa kutastho vijitendriyaha |
yukta ityuchyate yogi samaloshtaashmakaanchanaha ||

Synonyms:

jnaana: knowledge
vijnana: realization
triptaatmaa: self-satisfied
kutastha: situated in transcendence
vijitendriya: self-controlled
yukta: a transcendentalist
samaloshtaashmakaanchanaha: sees equality in pebbles, stones, and gold

Verse Translation: “A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi (a transcendentalist) when they are fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. They see equality everywhere, whether it be pebbles, stones, or gold.”

Verse 7

jitaatmanaha prashaantasya paramaatmaa samaahitaha |
sheetoshnasukhadukheshu tathaa maanaapamaanayoho ||

Synonyms:

jitaatmanaha: one who has conquered the mind
prashaantasya: serene
paramaatmaa: the Supreme Self
samaahitaha: situated in transcendence
sheetoshnasukhadukheshu: in heat and cold, happiness and distress
tathaa: also
maanaapamaanayoho: in honor and dishonor

Verse Translation: “For one who has conquered the mind, the Supreme Self is serene, as he is situated in transcendence. In heat and cold, happiness and distress, honor and dishonor, he remains the same.”

Verse 8

jnanavijnanatrptatma kutastho vijitendriyah|
yukta ityucyate yogi samalostrasmakancanah||

Synonyms:

Jnana: Knowledge
Vijnana: Realization
Atma: Self
Kutastha: Unmoving
Vijitendriyah: Conquered senses
Yukta: Established
Yogi: A practitioner of yoga
Samalostasmakancanah: Equal vision to pebbles, stones, and gold

Verse Translation: “A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi (self-realized person) when they are fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person sees equality everywhere, in every being, whether it be a pebble, a stone, or gold.”

Verse 9

suhrinmitraaryudaaseenamadhyasthadveshyabandhushu |
saadhushvapi cha paapeshu samabuddhirvishishyate ||

Synonyms:

Suhrin – well-wishers
Mitra – friends
Aryudha – enemies
Asina – neutral persons
Madhyastha – mediators
Dveshya – enemies
Bandhu – relatives
Saadhushu – pious
Api – also
Cha – and
Paapeshu – sinful
Samabuddhih – equal-mindedness
Vishishyate – considered special or exceptional

Verse Translation: “A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated transcendentally.”

Verse 10

yogi yunjeeta satatamaatmaanam rahasi sthitaha |
ekaakee yatachittaatmaa niraasheeraparigraha ||

Synonyms:

Yogi: One who practices yoga or meditation
Yunjeeta: Maintains, controls
Satatam: Always, constantly
Aatmaanam: The self
Rahasi: In seclusion
Sthitaha: Established, situated
Ekaakee: Alone, solitary
Yatachittaatmaa: With controlled mind and self
Niraashee: Without expectations
Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness, absence of greed

Verse Translation: “Remaining secluded, alone, with mind and body controlled, free from expectations and possessions, and seeing the self as the Supreme, one attains tranquility.”

Verse 11

shuchau deshe pratishthaapya sthiramaasanamaatmanaha |
naatyucchritam naatineecham chailaajinakushottaram ||

Synonyms:

Shuchau deshe: in a clean place
Pratishthaapya: having established
Sthiram aasanam: a steady seat
Aatmanaha: for oneself
Na ati ucchritam: not too high
Na ati neecham: not too low
Chaila-ajina-kushottaram: with a cloth, deer skin, and kusha grass mat

Verse Translation: “Having established a steady seat for oneself in a clean place, neither too high nor too low, with a cloth, deer skin, and kusha grass mat.”

Verse 12

tatrekaagram manaha kritvaa yatachittendriyakriyaha |
upavishyaasane yunjyaadyogamaatmavishuddhaye ||

Synonyms:

Tatrekaagram: fixing in one place
Manaha: mind
Kritvaa: having made
Yatachittendriyakriyaha: controlling the mind and senses
Upavishya: sitting
Asane: on a seat
Yunjya: engage
Yogam: in yoga
Atmavishuddhaye: for purification of the self

Verse Translation: “Having made the mind abide in one place, restraining the activities of mind and senses, one should practice yoga for self-purification, sitting on a seat.”

Verse 13

samam kaayashirogreevam dhaarayannachalam sthiraha |
samprekshya naasikaagram svam dishashchaanavalokayan |

Synonyms:

Samam: Steadily
Kaaya: Body
Shirogreevam: Head and neck
Dhaarayan: Holding
Achalam: Steady
Sthiraha: Motionless
Samprekshya: Looking
Naasikaagram: At the tip of the nose
Svam: His own
Dishaha: Directions
Cha: And
Anavalokayan: Not looking at

Verse Translation: “When one properly restrains the senses and fixes the mind on the Self, the knower of the truth, looking in all directions, becomes free from desire and attachment.”

Verse 14

prashaantaatmaa vigatabheerbrahmachaarivrate sthitaha |
manaha saiyamya macchitto yukta aaseeta matparaha ||

Synonyms:

Prashaantaatmaa: Tranquil-minded
Vigatabheeh: Fearless
Brahmachari: Practicing celibacy
Vrate: In vow
Sthitaha: Situated
Manaha: Mind
Saiyamya: Controlling
Macchitto: On Me (Lord Krishna)
Yukta: Engaged
Aaseeta: Should sit
Matparaha: Intent on Me

Verse Translation: “Remaining tranquil in mind, having abandoned fear, practicing celibacy, controlling the mind, let one sit, devoted to Me, with Me as the supreme goal.”

Verse 15

yunjannevam sadaatmaanam yogi niyatamaanasaha |
shaantim nirvaanaparamaam matsamsthaamadhigacchati ||

Synonyms:

Yogi: One who practices yoga or meditation
Sadaatmaanam: Constantly absorbed in the Self
Niyatamaanasaha: One with a disciplined mind
Shaantim: Peace
Nirvaanaparamaam: Ultimate liberation or bliss
Matsamsthaam: Residing in Me (referring to the Divine)

Verse Translation: “Thus, constantly keeping the mind absorbed in the Self, the yogi of disciplined mind attains the peace, which is the ultimate bliss of liberation, residing in Me.”

Verse 16

naatyashnatastu yogosti na chaikaantamanashnataha |
na chaati svapnasheelasya jaagrito naiva chaarjuna ||

Synonyms:

na atyashnatah: not overeating
tu: but
yogah: yoga
na cha: nor
ekantam: to one who is excessively attached
anashnatah: to one who does not eat
na cha: nor
ati: excessive
svapna-shilasya: to one who sleeps too much
jaagritah: wakeful
na eva: certainly not
cha: and
arjuna: O Arjuna

Verse Translation: “Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who abstains from eating altogether; it is not for one who sleeps too much, nor for one who stays awake excessively, O Arjuna.”

Verse 17

yuktaahaaravihaarasya yuktacheshtasya karmasu |
yuktasvapnaavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkhahaa ||

Synonyms:

Yukta-ahaara-vihaarasya: Balanced in food and recreation.
Yukta-cheshtasya karmasu: Balanced in action and work.
Yukta-svapna-avabodhasya: Balanced in sleep and wakefulness.

Verse Translation: “A person is said to have achieved yoga, the state of perfect harmony, when moderation is achieved in eating and resting, in working and recreation, in sleep and wakefulness. Such a person is freed from all sorrows.”

Verse 18

yada viniyatam chittamaatmanyevaavatishyate |
nihspruhaha sarvakaamebhyo yukta ityuchyate tadaa ||

Synonyms:

yada: when
viniyatam: controlled
chittam: mind
atmani: in the self
eva: certainly
avatishyate: situated
nihspruhaha: free from desires
sarva-kamebhyaha: from all desires
yuktaha: engaged
iti: thus
uchyate: is said
tada: then

Verse Translation: “When one completely controls the mind and remains firmly established in the Self, free from longing for all desires, such a person is said to be in constant yoga (union).”

Verse 19

yathaa deepo nivaatasthato nengate sopamaa smritaa |
yogino yatachittasya yunjato yogamaatmanaha ||

Synonyms:

yathaa: just as
deepo: lamp
nivaatasthataha: in a windless place
na: not
ingate: flickers
sopamaa: comparison
smritaa: is considered
yogino: of a yogi
yatachittasya: whose mind is controlled
yunjato: engaged in
yogam: meditation
aatmanaha: on the self

Verse Translation: “Just as a lamp in a windless place does not waver, so the transcendentalist, whose mind is controlled, remains steadfast in his meditation on the self.”

Verse 20

yatroparamate chittam niruddham yogasevayaa |
yatra chaivaatmanaatmaanam pashyannaatmani tushyati ||

Synonyms:

Yatra: where
Atman: self
Chittam: mind
Niruddham: restrained
Yoga Sevaya: through the practice of yoga
Pashyan: seeing
Tushyati: rejoices

Verse Translation: “When the mind, restrained through the practice of yoga, attains stillness and sees the self by the self, rejoicing in the self, then one’s own nature becomes the abode of infinite happiness.”

Verse 21

sukhamaatyantikam yattadbuddhigraahyamateendriyam |
vetti yatra na chaivaayam sthitashchalati tattvataha ||

Synonyms:

sukham: happiness, pleasure
aatyantikam: ultimate, supreme
yat: that which
tad: that
buddhi: intellect, understanding
graahyam: comprehensible, graspable
ateendriyam: beyond the senses
vetti: knows, understands
yatra: where
na: not
cha: and
eva: certainly
ayam: this
sthitaha: situated, established
chalati: wavers, moves
tattvataha: in reality

Verse Translation: The happiness that is beyond the perception of the senses, but comprehensible by the intellect; one knows that situated in it, this does not waver in reality.

Verse 22

yam labdhvaa chaaparam laabham manyate naadhikam tataha |
yasminsthitho na duhkhena gurunaapi vichaalyate ||

Synonyms:

Yam labdhvaa: Having obtained which (attainment)
Cha: Also
Aparam: Other
Laabham: Gain
Manyate: Considers
Na: Not
Adhikam: Greater
Tataha: Therefore
Yasmin sthitaha: In which (state)
Na: Not
Duhkhena: By suffering
Gurunapi: Even by the wise
Vichaalyate: Disturbed

Verse Translation: “He who finds contentment within, whose mind is unshaken amidst pleasures and pain, and who is free from attachment, such a person is considered to have attained the highest state of spiritual fulfillment. Even great suffering cannot disturb one who is established in this inner contentment.”

Verse 23

tam vidyaadyuhkhasaiyogaviyogam yogasanngitam |
sa nischayena yoktavyo yogonirvinnachetasaa ||

Synonyms:

Vidya: Knowledge
Adyuhkha: Misery from the beginning
Saiyoga: Connection with
Viyogam: Disconnection
Yogasanngitam: Yoga is said to be
Sa: That
Nischayena: With determination
Yoktavyo: Should be practiced
Yogonirvinnachetasaa: By one with a subdued mind in yoga

Verse Translation: “Yoga is said to be the separation from the union with suffering. This yoga should be practiced with determination and with a subdued mind.”

Verse 24

sankalpaprabhavaankaamaanstyaktvaa sarvaanasheshataha |
manasaivendriyagraamam viniyamya samantataha ||

Synonyms:

Sankalpa: Determination, will, intention, desires
Prabhavan: Arising from
Kaaman: Desires
Tyaktvaa: Abandoning
Sarvaan: All
Asheshataha: Completely
Manasa: Mind
Eva: Indeed
Indriya-Graamam: The group of senses
Viniyamya: Controlling, restraining
Samantataha: From all sides

Verse Translation: “Having abandoned all desires born of sankalpa, completely restraining the mind from all sides, one should sit, concentrating the mind solely on Me.”

Verse 25

shanaihi shanairooparamedbuddhyaa dhritigrheetayaa |
aatmasamstham manah kritvaa na kinchidapi chintayet ||

Synonyms:

shanaihi: gradually
shanaih: slowly
arooparam: without diversion
edbuddhyaa: with the intellect
dhritigrheetayaa: held firmly
aatmasamstham: situated in the self
manah: mind
kritvaa: having made
na: not
kinchidapi: anything else
chintayet: should think

Verse Translation: “Gradually, step by step, with the intellect held firm and placed in the self, let one not think of anything else.”

Verse 26

yato yato nishcharati manashchanchalamasthiram |
tatastato niyamyaitadaatmanyeva vasham nayet ||

Synonyms:

Yato yato: Wherever
Nishcharati: Wanders
Manah: Mind
Chanchalam: Fickle
Asthiram: Unsteady
Tatastha: Under control of
Niyamya: Bringing under control
Atman: Self
Eva: Alone
Vasham nayet: One should bring under control

Verse Translation: “Wherever the fickle and unsteady mind wanders, one should bring it back under the control of the self alone.”

Verse 27

prashaantamanasam hyonam yoginam sukhamuttamama |
upaiti shaantarajasam brahmabhootamakalmasham ||

Synonyms:

Prashaanta-manasam: tranquil-minded
Hi: certainly
Anam: that
Yoginam: of the yogi
Sukham uttamam: supreme joy
Upaiti: attains
Shaanta-rajasam: free from passion
Brahma-bhootam: one with the Brahman
Akalmaṣham: free from sin or impurity

Verse Translation: “The tranquil-minded yogi attains the supreme joy, certainly; he becomes free from passion, and being one with Brahman, he is free from sin.”

Verse 28

yunjannevam sadaatmaanam yogee vigatakalmashaha |
sukhena brahmasamsparshamatyantam sukhamashrute ||

Synonyms:

Yunjann: Engaging
Evam: Thus
Sada: Always
Atma: Self
Yogī: Yogi
Vigata-kalmashaḥ: Free from sin
Sukhena: Happiness
Brahma-sparsham: Touch of Brahman (supreme reality)
Atyantam: Ultimate
Sukham: Bliss
Ashnute: Attains

Verse Translation: “A yogi, thus engaged in the self with mind and body subdued, sees the self by the self and is content in the self; he attains supreme bliss.”

Verse 29

sarvabhootasthamaatmaanam sarvabhootani chaatmani |
eekshate yogayuktaatmaa sarvatra samadarshanaha ||

Synonyms:

Sarvabhootastha: existing in all beings
Aatmaanam: oneself
Sarvabhootani: all beings
Cha: and
Aatmani: in oneself
Eekshate: sees
Yogayuktaatmaa: the self-realized person
Sarvatra: everywhere
Samadarshanaha: with equal vision

Verse Translation: “A person who sees oneself in all beings and all beings in oneself, with a mind established in yoga, sees the same everywhere with equal vision.”

Verse 30

yo maam pashyati sarvatra sarvam cha mayi pashyati |
tasyaaham na pranashyaami sa cha me naa pranashyati ||

Synonyms:

Yo: He who
Maam: Me
Pashyati: Sees
Sarvatra: Everywhere
Sarvam: Everything
Cha: And
Mayi: In Me
Tasya: His
Aham: I
Na: Not
Pranashyaami: Am lost
Sa: He
Cha: And
Me: In Me
Na: Not
Pranashyati: Is lost

Verse Translation: “He who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost to him, nor is he ever lost to Me.”

Verse 31

sarvabhootasthitam yo maam bhajatyekatvamaastitaha |
sarvathaa vartamaanopi sa yogi mayi vartate ||

Synonyms:

Yogi: practitioner of yoga, one who seeks union with the divine.
Maam: Me, referring to the divine.
Bhajati: serves, worships, devotes oneself to.
Ekatva: perception of oneness, unity.
Sarvabhūta-sthitam: abides in all beings, present in all creatures.
Sarvatha: in all respects, in every way.
Vartamana: engaged in activities, while living.
Api: even, also.
Mayi: in Me, in the divine.
Vartate: abides, remains, stays.

Verse Translation: “A yogi who faithfully serves Me with the perception of the oneness of all beings, abides in Me in all respects, even while engaged in all sorts of activities.”

Verse 32

aatmaopamyena sarvatra samam pashyati yorjuna |
sukham vaayadivaa dukham sa yogi paramo mathaha ||

Synonyms:

aatma-opamyena: by comparing oneself
sarvatra: everywhere
samam: equally
pashyati: sees
yaha: one who
arjuna: O Arjuna
sukham: happiness
vaa: or
yadi: if
vaa: or
dukham: distress
sah: that
yogi: yogi
paramah: supreme
matah: considered

Verse Translation: “O Arjuna, the yogi who sees equality everywhere, by comparing oneself with others, whether in pleasure or pain, is considered the highest of all.”

Verse 33

Arjuna uvaacha:
yoyam yogastvayaa proktaha saamyena madhusudhana |
etasyaaham na pashyaami chanchalatvaatsthitim sthiraaam ||

Synonyms:

Yogah: Yoga
Tvayaa: You
Proktah: taught
Saamyena: of equanimity
Madhusudhana: a name for Krishna, meaning “slayer of the demon Madhu”
Etasya: this
Aham: I
Na: do not
Pashyaami: perceive
Chanchalatvaat: due to restlessness
Sthitim: steady continuance
Sthiraam: steady

Verse Translation: Arjuna said: “O Madhusudana, this Yoga which You have taught, of equanimity, I do not perceive its steady continuance, due to the restlessness of the mind.”

Verse 34

chanchalam hi manaha krishna pramaathi balavaddrudham |
tasyaaham nigraham manye vaayoriva sudushkaram ||

Synonyms:

chanchalam: restless
hi: indeed
manaha: mind
krishna: Krishna (a name of Arjuna)
pramaathi: turbulent
balavaddrudham: strong and stubborn
tasya: its
aham: I
nigraham: control
manye: think
vaayoriva: of the wind
sudushkaram: extremely difficult

Verse Translation: “The mind is restless, turbulent, strong, and stubborn, O Krishna; it appears to me more difficult to control than the wind.”

Verse 35

Shree Bhagavaan uvaacha:
asamshayam mahaabaaho mano durnigraham chalam |
abhyaasena tu kaunteya vairagyena cha grihyate ||

Synonyms:

Asamshayam: Undoubtedly
Mahaabaaho: O mighty-armed one (referring to Arjuna)
Mano: Mind
Durnigraham: Difficult to control
Chalam: Restless
Abhyaasena: By practice
Tu: But
Kaunteya: Son of Kunti (referring to Arjuna)
Vairagyena: By detachment
Cha: And
Grihyate: Can be controlled

Verse Translation: “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to control the restless mind, but it is possible by constant practice and detachment.”

Verse 36

asaiyataatmanaa yogo dushpraapa iti me matihi |
vashayaatmanaa tu yatataa shakyovaaptumupaayataha ||

Synonyms:

Asaiyata: Uncontrollable
Atmanaa: By oneself
Yogaha: Yoga
Dushpraapa: Difficult to attain
Iti: Thus
Me: My
Matihi: Opinion
Vashaya: Controlled
Atmanaa: By oneself
Tu: But
Yatataa: Striving
Shakyah: Possible
Vaaptum: To achieve
Upaayataha: By appropriate means

Verse Translation: “Yoga is difficult to attain for one whose mind is not controlled, but it is possible for the self-controlled through proper practice and endeavor. That is my opinion.”

Verse 37

Arjuna uvaacha:
ayatihi shraddhayopeto yogaachchalitamaanasaha |
apraapya yogasamsiddhim kaam gatim krishna gachchati ||

Synonyms:

Arjuna: The disciple and warrior prince in the Mahabharata.
Uvaacha: Said.
Ayatihi: One who is without regulation.
Shraddhayaa: With faith.
Upetaha: Engaged.
Yogaha: Yoga.
Achalita-manasaha: Unsteady-minded.
Apraapya: Failing to achieve.
Yoga-samsiddhim: Perfection in yoga.
Kaam-gatim: Transmigration.

Verse Translation: Arjuna said: “He who is unable to control his mind despite having the faith and is unsuccessful in the practice of yoga, where does he go, O Krishna? What is his destination?”

Verse 38

kashchinnobhayavibhrashtashchinnabhramiva nashyati |
apratishtha mahaabaaho vimoodhaa brahmanam pathi ||

Synonyms:

kashchin: some
nobhaya-vibhrashta: being overcome by both
chinnabhram: doubts cut off
iva: as
nashyati: perish
apratishtha: not established
mahabaho: mighty-armed (referring to Arjuna)
vimoodha: deluded
brahmanam pathi: on the path to spiritual realization

Verse Translation: “O mighty-armed Arjuna, a person who is free from both attachment and aversion, whose doubts are completely cut off by knowledge, and who acts for the sake of duty, is established in perfect wisdom.”

Verse 39

etanme samshayam krishna chhettumarhasyasheshataha |
tvadanyaha samshayasyaasya chhettaa na hyupapadyate ||

Synonyms:

Etat: This
Enmé: doubt
Samshayam: doubt
Krishna: O Krishna
Chhettum: to dispel
Arhasi: should
Sheshataha: completely
Tvadanyaha: other than You
Samshayasya: of doubt
Asya: of this
Chhetta: dispeller
Na: not
Hi: certainly
Upapadyate: is found

Verse Translation: “O Krishna, doubt regarding this can surely be dispelled by You alone; no one else can be its dispeller.”

Verse 40

Shree Bhagavaan uvaacha:
paartha naiveha naamutra vinaashastasya vidyate |
na hi kalyaanakritkashchiddurgatim taata gachchati ||

Synonyms:

Shree Bhagavaan uvaacha: The Blessed Lord said
paartha: O son of Pritha (Arjuna)
naiveha: not in this
naamutra: nor hereafter
vinaashah: destruction
tasya: for him
vidyate: is there
na: never
hi: certainly
kalyaanakrit: one who does good
kashchit: anyone
durgatim: to misfortune
taata: O dear one
gachchati: attains

Verse Translation: “The Blessed Lord said: O son of Pritha, for the one who does good, there is neither in this world nor hereafter any destruction. Indeed, never does anyone who does good, O dear one, tread the path of misfortune.”

Verse 41

praapya punyakritaam lokaanushitvaa shaashvateeh samaaha |
hucheenaam shreemataam gehe yogabrashtobhijaayate ||

Synonyms:

Praapya: Having achieved
Punyakritaam: The meritorious
Lokaanushitvaa: Living in the world
Shaashvateeh: Eternal
Samaaha: Worlds
Hucheenaam: In the prosperous
Shreemataam: Wealthy
Gehe: House
Yogabrashtobhijaayate: One who is unsuccessful in yoga, is born

Verse Translation: “Those who have done good deeds and lived a righteous life but have failed to complete their spiritual journey may be born into a prosperous or wealthy household to continue their pursuit of spiritual growth.”

Verse 42

athavaa yoginaameva kule bhavati dheemataam |
etaddhi durlabhataram loke janma yadeedrisham ||

Synonyms:

Yoginaam – of yogis
Kule – in a family
Bhavati – becomes
Dheemataam – of the wise/intelligent
Etat – this
Hi – indeed
Durlabhataram – very rare
Loke – in the world
Janma – birth
Yad – which
Idrisham – such

Verse Translation: “Or he takes birth in a family of even the wise yogis; verily such a birth is very rare in this world.”

Verse 43

tatra tam buddhisaiyogam labhate paurvadehikam |
yatate cha tato bhooyaha samsiddhau kurunandana ||

Synonyms:

Buddhi: understanding, intelligence, discernment
Saiyogam: through connection, through union
Labhate: attains, gains, obtains
Paurvadehikam: from previous lives, from prior existence
Yatate: endeavors, strives, tries
Bhooyaha: again, repeatedly
Samsiddhau: in perfection, in accomplishment
Kurunandana: O Arjuna (addressing Arjuna, descendant of the Kurus)

Verse Translation: “By that Yoga of understanding, attained through previous practice, one seeks refuge in it; even one who strives assiduously, O Arjuna, excels the performer of actions.”

Verse 44

poorvabhyaasena tenaiva hriyate hyaavashoopi saha |
jigyaasurapi yogasya shabdabrahmaativartate ||

Synonyms:

Poorvabhyaasena: through previous practice
Tenaiva: even by that alone
Hriyate: one is led
Hi: indeed
Aavashopi: even unwillingly
Saha: along with
Jigyaasuhu: an inquirer
Api: even
Yogasya: of yoga
Shabdabrahma: the essence of words
Ativartate: transcends

Verse Translation: “By that very practice, one is led even unwillingly to do that action. Indeed, even an inquirer of yoga transcends the essence of words.”

Verse 45

prayatnaadyatamaanastu yogee samshuddhakilbishaha |
anekajanmasamsiddhastato yaati paraam gatim ||

Synonyms:

Prayatna: effort
Adyatamaanah: most diligent
Yogee: yogi
Samshuddha: completely purified
Kilbishaha: from all sins
Aneka Janma Samsiddha: perfected through many births
Tato: thereafter
Yaati: attains
Paraam Gatim: the supreme goal / highest state

Verse Translation: “The most diligent yogi, purified from all sins, and perfected through many births, thereafter attains the supreme goal.”

Verse 46

tapasvibhyodhiko yogi jnyaanibhyopi matodhikaha |
karmibhyashchaadhiko yogi tasmaadyogi bhavaarjuna ||

Synonyms:

Tapasvibhyaha: Ascetics
Adhikaha: Greater
Yogi: The practitioner of yoga
Jñānibhyaha: Empiricists/Those pursuing knowledge
Matodhikaha: Greater than Me (referring to Lord Krishna)
Karmibhyaha: Fruitive workers/those engaged in rituals or actions
Cha: And
Adhikaha: Greater
Tasmaat: Therefore
Yogi: Yogi
Bhava: Be
Arjuna: Arjuna (the recipient of Lord Krishna’s teachings)

Verse Translation: “A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist, and greater than even the fruitive worker. Therefore, Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi.”

Verse 47

yoginaamapi sarveshaam madgatenaantaraatmanaa |
shraddhaavaanbhajate yo maam sa me yuktatamo mataha ||

Synonyms:

Yoginaam: Yogis
Madgatena: Engaged in Me
Antaraatmanaa: Within themselves
Shraddhaavaan: Full of faith
Bhajate: Worships/engages in devotion
Yaha: Who
Maam: Me
Sa: That person
Me: With Me
Yuktatamo: Most intimately united
Mataha: Considered/held as the highest

Verse Translation: “Of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and worships Me in loving devotion, is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.”