Bhagavad Gita BG 6.46
Chapter 6, Verse 46 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः । कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ॥
tapasvibhyo 'dhiko yogi jnanibhyo 'pi mato 'dhikah karmibhyas cadhiko yogi tasmad yogi bhavarjuna
Meaning
The yogi is superior to the ascetic (tapasvi), considered superior even to the man of knowledge (jnani), and superior to the man of ritual action (karmi). Therefore, be a yogi, O Arjuna.
Understanding
A bold statement of yoga's supremacy: adhiko (superior, more) than: tapasvibhyah (ascetics — those practicing austerities), jnanibhyah (men of knowledge — those of mere intellectual learning, not realized knowledge), and karmibhyah (men of ritual action). The yogi integrates what all three pursue separately. Tasmat yogi bhava arjuna — THEREFORE become a yogi, O Arjuna. A direct command ending the chapter's practical section. The teaching has been given — now: act on it.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तपस्विभ्यः | tapasvibhyah | than ascetics, than those doing austerities |
| अधिकः | adhikah | superior, more, greater |
| ज्ञानिभ्यः | jnanibhyah | than men of (mere intellectual) knowledge |
| कर्मिभ्यः | karmibhyah | than ritualists, men of ritual action |
| भव | bhava | be, become (imperative) |
| योगी | yogī | a yogi / the yogi (superior to all) |
| अपि | api | even / also (even superior to jnanis) |
| मतः | mataḥ | considered / regarded (to be superior) |
| च | ca | and / also (and superior to the ritualistic) |
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |