Bhagavad Gita BG 6.2
Chapter 6, Verse 2 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
यं सन्न्यासमिति प्राहुर् योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव । न ह्यसन्न्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन ॥
yam sannyasam iti prahur yogam tam viddhi pandava na hy asannyasta-sankalpo yogi bhavati kashcana
Meaning
What they call sannyasa, know that to be yoga, O Pandava. No one becomes a yogi who has not renounced sankalpa (will-to-results).
Understanding
The equation: sannyasa = yoga. What is the common ground? Renunciation of sankalpa — the desire-charged resolve or intention directed at a specific result. Asannyasta-sankalpa means 'not having renounced sankalpa.' No one (kashcana) becomes a yogi without this inner renunciation. Sankalpa is the mental act of projecting a desired future result — 'I will get THIS from this action.' That projection must be given up. Action continues; result-directed intention is released.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सन्न्यासम् | sannyasam | renunciation |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know, understand (imperative) |
| सङ्कल्पः | sankalpah | will-to-result, desire-charged mental resolve |
| असन्न्यस्त | asannyasta | not having renounced |
| कश्चन | kashcana | anyone, whoever it may be |
| यम् | yam | which / what (they call sannyasa) |
| इति | iti | thus (as people say "sannyasa") |
| प्राहुः | prāhuḥ | they call / they say / people declare |
| योगम् | yogam | yoga / that (is actually yoga) |
| तम् | tam | that (same — sannyasa is yoga) |
| पाण्डव | pāṇḍava | O Pandava (Arjuna, son of Pandu) |
| न | na | not (without renouncing desire no one becomes a yogi) |
| हि | hi | for / indeed (causal) |
| भवति | bhavati | becomes / is |