Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 22

Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः ।
यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ॥

Transliteration

yaṃ labdhvā cāparaṃ lābhaṃ manyate nādhikaṃ tataḥ .
yasminsthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate ॥

Meaning

Having gained which one considers no other gain greater, and established in which one is not shaken even by the heaviest sorrow —

Word meanings

यम् – which
लब्ध्वा – having gained
च – and
अपरम् – other
लाभम् – gain
मन्यते – considers
न – not
अधिकम् – greater
ततः – than that
यस्मिन् – in which
स्थितः – established
दुःखेन – by sorrow
गुरुणा – heavy, grievous
अपि – even
विचाल्यते – is shaken

Anvaya (word order)

यं लब्ध्वा च ततः अधिकम् अपरं लाभं न मन्यते, यस्मिन् स्थितः गुरुणा अपि दुःखेन न विचाल्यते —

Explanation

In describing the highest state of yoga, Krishna adds two more tests — one concerning gain and one concerning sorrow.

The first: yam labdhva chaparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah — having gained it, one considers no other gain greater. In the world, after every achievement the mind races toward the next; one house leads to the wish for a bigger one, one position to the wish for a higher one. The race never ends because no worldly gain is complete. But when the bliss of the Self is attained, the search is over, for it is complete; there is nothing beyond it.

The second: yasmin sthito na duhkhena gurunapi vichalyate — established in it, one is not moved even by grievous sorrow. Guruna api means even the heaviest sorrow — the loss of a loved one, serious illness, great misfortune. Shankara offers the example of pain as intense as a wound from a weapon. This does not mean the yogi feels no pain; body and mind may suffer, yet his abiding in the Self does not waver. It is like the ocean: storms may rage on the surface, yet its depths remain calm.

These two tests serve the seeker as tools of self-examination. If, despite experiences in meditation, the mind still hankers after other gains or breaks under small sorrows, one should understand that steadiness in that state has not yet come.

Context

Verse 6.21 described the transcendent joy. This verse states its completeness (no greater gain) and its firmness (unshaken even in great sorrow). The next verse (6.23) concludes the whole description: 'know this to be yoga.'

Life lesson

Many achievements come and go in life, but none gives lasting fulfilment. Regard inner peace as the greatest gain; it is the support that will keep you from breaking even in the hardest times.

Key terms

Supreme gain: the gain beyond which there is none — realisation of the Self
Guru duhkha: heavy, grievous sorrow
Vichalyate: is shaken, is moved