तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः ।
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ॥
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
सकामभाववाले तपस्वियोंसे भी योगी श्रेष्ठ है, ज्ञानियोंसे भी योगी श्रेष्ठ है और कर्मियोंसे भी योगी श्रेष्ठ है ऐसा मेरा मत है । अतः हे अर्जुन तू योगी हो जा ॥
English
The yogi is greater than ascetics, greater than scholars, and greater than workers. Therefore, Arjuna, become a yogi.
What this verse means
Meditation and inner mastery are higher than harsh austerity, intellectual learning, or mere action. Krishna urges Arjuna to become a true yogi.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen, and Krishna is closing his teaching on meditation. After showing that practice can survive failure and carry across lives, he now ranks the yogi above austerity, knowledge, and action, then directly tells Arjuna to become one.
Why this verse still matters
You can meditate for years, read every book, and still feel split when the hard choice arrives at midnight. The real test is whether your mind can stay centered when action is unavoidable.
The takeaway
There is relief in knowing that inner steadiness matters more than any single method or achievement.
Word-by-word translation
तपस्विभ्योऽधिकः (greater than ascetics) / योगी (the yogi) / ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि (even than the wise) / मतोऽधिकः (is considered greater) / कर्मिभ्यः (than workers) / च (and) / अधिकः (greater) / योगी (the yogi) / तस्मात् (therefore) / योगी (a yogi) / भव (become) / अर्जुन (Arjuna)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga — The Yoga of Meditation, which contains 47 verses.
Explore related themes: jnana (24 verses), tapas (22 verses), dhyana yoga (13 verses)