Bhagavad Gita 6.46
Spoken by Krishna ☆ Key verse · Verse 46 of 47
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः | कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ||४६||
tapasvibhyo'dhiko yogī jñānibhyo'pi mato'dhikaḥ | karmibhyaś cādhiko yogī tasmād yogī bhavārjuna || 46 ||
The yogi surpasses the ascetic, the scholar, the ritualist — therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi!
Word by word (3)
- tapasvibhyaḥ adhikaḥ yogī jñānibhyaḥ api mataḥ adhikaḥ
- — the yogi is regarded as greater than ascetics, and even than men of learning · tapasvibhyaḥ = than those who practise tapas (austerity, asceticism). adhika = greater, superior. yogī = the yogi. jñānibhyaḥ = than those who have knowledge/learning (jñāni = knower, scholar of the śāstras — textual learning). api = even. mataḥ = is regarded, is considered. The hierarchy: yogi > tapasvin (ascetic) AND yogi > jñānī (scholarly learned). This is notable: even textual knowledge (jñāna through scripture study) is placed below the yogi's direct inner practice.
- karmibhyaḥ ca adhikaḥ yogī tasmāt yogī bhava arjuna
- — and the yogi is greater than those who perform ritual action — therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi! · karmibhyaḥ = than those who perform karma (religious action, ritual, Vedic rites). ca = and. adhika yogī = the yogi is greater. tasmāt = therefore (the logical conclusion of the three superiority statements). yogī bhava = be a yogi (second person imperative — a direct command from Krishna to Arjuna). arjuna = O Arjuna. The chapter closes with an imperative: 'tasmāt yogī bhava arjuna' — therefore be a yogi, Arjuna. After 35 verses of instruction on what a yogi is and does, 9 verses on practice difficulties and multi-lifetime progression, Krishna's direct command: be this. Not 'consider being this' — be it. Now.
- tasmāt yogī bhava arjuna (the chapter's direct imperative)
- — therefore be a yogi, Arjuna — the entire chapter's instruction crystallised into one command · 'Tasmāt yogī bhava arjuna' is one of the most direct imperatives in the Gita. The 'tasmāt' (therefore) gathers the entire preceding teaching: V7-32 (what a yogi is and experiences), V33-36 (how to deal with the difficulty), V37-45 (what happens even if one falls short). Everything has been said. The conclusion is simple and direct: 'therefore be a yogi.' Not a particular kind of yogi, not a yogi under certain conditions — simply: be a yogi. This is V46's gift: it crystallises the entire chapter's complexity into one clear instruction that Arjuna can carry into action.
The yogi is greater than the ascetics, greater than the learned, and greater than those who perform rituals. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi.
A modern analogy
In medicine: (1) theoretical knowledge (textbook learning), (2) physical training (clinical practice), and (3) procedural competence (technical skills) are all valuable. But the doctor who integrates all three — inner wisdom + external skill + knowledge — exceeds any one specialist in isolation. This verse's yogi is that integrative practitioner.
What it does NOT mean
This verse does NOT denigrate tapas (austerity), jñāna (knowledge), or karma (ritual action) as worthless. It establishes a hierarchy: all three are valid and valuable paths. The yogi — who integrates inner direct practice — surpasses those who pursue only external forms (asceticism) or only external knowledge (textual) or only external action (ritual). Integration and inner practice are the Gita's highest criterion.
Take with you
- This verse's imperative 'yogī bhava' (be a yogi) is the chapter's direct instruction. The entire teaching that came before — from the self-conquered yogi who finds the Supreme Self equally present through all conditions, all the way to perfection across many lifetimes — has defined what a yogi is. This verse says: be that. The instruction is complete.
- The three-way superiority (over the ascetic, the scholar, and the ritualist) identifies what the yogi has that the others lack: direct inner practice that integrates and deepens all three. The yogi is not anti-tapas, anti-jñāna, or anti-karma — they include all three and go deeper.
- This verse's 'tasmāt' (therefore) is the logical conclusion of the whole chapter. Having described the yogic life from first principles — the self-conquered yogi seeing the Supreme everywhere — all the way to the multi-lifetime arc, Krishna says: you now know what this is. Therefore be it.
Public-domain translations (6) compare all →
The yogi is greater than the tapasvin, greater even than the jñānī, and greater than the karmī — therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi! [1]
The Yogi is regarded as superior to those who practise asceticism, also to those who have obtained wisdom (through the Shastras). He is also superior to the per- formers of action (enjoined in the Vedas). Therefore, be thou a Yogi, O Arjuna! [4]
The Yogi is greater than the ascetics; he is considered greater than the wise; the Yogi is greater than the men of action; therefore be thou a Yogi, O Arjuna. [5]
A devotee excels an ascetic, he excels even those who seek for wisdom or those who seek for works — therefore be thou a devotee, O Arjuna! [6]
The Yogi is greater than the mere ascetic, greater than the follower of the Law, greater even than those who read the Scriptures: therefore be thou Yogi, Arjuna! [7]
A Yogi is more meritorious than those who practise bodily austerities, and even more than those who are learned in the scriptures; and more than those who perform sacrifices. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a Yogi. [9]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
Striving through many births, fully purified, the yogi — perfected across lifetimes — reaches the highest goal.
Of all yogis, the one whose inner self is merged in Me, worshipping with śraddhā — that one I hold to be most united.
Two paths: knowledge for the reflective, action for the active. Both lead to the same summit.
Seeing inaction in action, action in inaction — that one is wise, a yogi, a complete doer of all actions.
Instrument, offering, fire, act, destination — all Brahman. One absorbed in Brahman-action reaches Brahman alone.
Nothing in this world purifies like jñāna. The karma-yogi finds it within themselves in time.
Verse 46 of 47 · back to Chapter 6