Bhagavad Gītā · Chapter 6, Verse 46
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः।
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन।।
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन।।
tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī
jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ
karmibhyaś cādhiko yogī
tasmād yogī bhavārjuna
also searched as "tapasvibhyo adhiko yogi jnanibhyo api mato adhikah"
Translation
Greater than the ascetics, greater than those who possess knowledge, greater than the ritualists is the Yogin. Therefore, O Arjuna, become a Yogin.
Vāṇi's rendering
The yogi stands above the ascetic, above the scholar, above the ritualist. So be a yogi.
Word by word
| Sanskrit & transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तपस्विभ्यःtapasvibhyaḥ | than those who practise austerity; (sandhi: tapasvibhyo before adhikaḥ) |
| अधिकःadhikaḥ | greater, standing higher |
| योगीyogī | the yogi, the one joined in union |
| ज्ञानिभ्यःjñānibhyaḥ | than the learned, those who know the texts |
| अपिapi | even |
| मतःmataḥ | is held to be, is considered |
| अधिकःadhikaḥ | greater |
| कर्मिभ्यःkarmibhyaḥ | than the performers of rites and works |
| चca | and (sandhi: karmibhyaś ca) |
| अधिकःadhikaḥ | greater |
| योगीyogī | the yogi |
| तस्मात्tasmāt | therefore |
| योगीyogī | a yogi |
| भवbhava | become, be |
| अर्जुनarjuna | Arjuna (sandhi: bhavārjuna) |
Frequently asked
What does Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 46 mean?
It places the yogi above three respected types: the one who practises austerity, the one learned in scripture, and the one who performs prescribed works. None of these is dismissed. But austerity subdues, learning informs, ritual performs — while yoga joins. Krishna ends the chapter by telling Arjuna to be that: joined, not merely busy.
What is the meaning of tapasvibhyo adhiko yogi?
That the yogi stands higher than the tapasvī, the one who wears the body down with hard practice. Austerity is real discipline and Krishna never mocks it. He only says it is not the summit. Heat applied to the body is not the same as a mind steadied in union.
Why is the yogi called greater than the jnani here?
Because jñānī here means one who has gathered knowledge from teaching and text — accurate, learned, still outside. The yogi has the same truth as a lived steadiness rather than a held conclusion. Elsewhere the Gītā praises jñāna highly. Here Krishna is distinguishing knowing about from being joined.
Does this verse mean I should give up rituals and study?
No. Krishna says become a yogi, not abandon everything else. Study, discipline and observance remain useful; they simply are not the destination. Keep them if they steady you. But ask, honestly, whether your practice is carrying you inward or only keeping you occupied and well-regarded.
Themes in this verse
Read every verse this way, held — inside Vāṇi.
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Commentary
Krishna ranks, and the ranking stings. The ascetic burns his body; the scholar collects the texts; the ritualist keeps the fire lit — all three are doing something real, and none of them is what he means by yogi. The difference is not effort. It is where the effort points. The ascetic subdues, the scholar knows about, the ritualist performs; the yogi is joined. Arjuna has spent the chapter asking how such a mind is possible, and Krishna answers by pointing past every impressive practice. You can be disciplined, learned, and faithful, and still be standing outside. So sit down and steady the breath.