Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 42

Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् ।
एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् ॥

Transliteration

athavā yogināmeva kule bhavati dhīmatām .
etaddhi durlabhataraṃ loke janma yadīdṛśam ॥

Meaning

Or else he is born into a family of wise yogis; but such a birth as this is very hard to obtain in this world.

Word meanings

अथवा – or else
योगिनाम् – of yogis
एव – indeed
कुले – in the family
भवति – is born
धीमताम् – of the wise
एतत् – this
हि – indeed
दुर्लभतरम् – very hard to obtain
लोके – in the world
जन्म – birth
यत् – which
ईदृशम् – such

Anvaya (word order)

अथवा धीमतां योगिनाम् एव कुले भवति; हि ईदृशं यत् एतत् जन्म, (तत्) लोके दुर्लभतरम् ।

Explanation

In the previous verse Krishna described one destiny of the fallen yogi; now he gives a second and even better one. This destiny belongs to the seeker who had advanced further on the path and in whom the desire for enjoyment had almost disappeared.

Such a seeker, without spending time in the heavenly worlds, is born directly dhimatam yoginam kule — into a family of wise yogis. Shankara notes that such families may be poor, but they are rich in knowledge and yoga. In such a home, from childhood one finds an atmosphere of meditation, study of scripture, holy company and restraint. The parents, being seekers themselves, recognise and nourish the child's spiritual tendencies.

Krishna says, etad dhi durlabhataram loke janma yad idrisham — such a birth is very rare in this world. The birth of the previous verse, in a pure and prosperous home, is good too, but there the attraction of enjoyments may persist because of wealth. Birth among yogis is superior, for there the path of practice is direct and clear.

The verse shows that the level of our inner growth determines the environment we receive for the next stage of the journey. The deeper the practice, the more favourable the next station.

Context

Verse 6.41 spoke of the fallen yogi's birth in a pure and prosperous home; this verse describes the rarer destiny of birth among yogis. The next verse (6.43) says that, born there, he regains the understanding of his former life.

Life lesson

Richer than wealth is the wealth of wisdom and good conduct. Make your home a place where children naturally find love, restraint and spiritual values — that is the rarest of gifts.

Key terms

Dhiman: wise, intelligent
Yoginam kula: a family of yogis
Durlabhatara: extremely rare