तपस्विभ्योऽधिकोयोगी
ज्ञानिभ्योऽपिमतोऽधिक:|
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिकोयोगी
तस्माद्योगीभवार्जुन|| 46||
tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī
jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ
karmibhyaśh chādhiko yogī
tasmād yogī bhavārjuna
tapasvibhyaḥ—than the ascetics; adhikaḥ—superior; yogī—a yogi; jñānibhyaḥ—than the persons of learning; api—even; mataḥ—considered; adhikaḥ—superior; karmibhyaḥ—than the ritualistic performers; cha—and; adhikaḥ—superior; yogī—a yogi; tasmāt—therefore; yogī—a yogi; bhava—just become; arjuna—Arjun
Translation:
O Arjuna! The yogi is thought to be greater than the ascetic, greater than the learned, and greater than the man of action; therefore be a yogi.
Commentary:
The superiority of Dhyana yoga is declared here. It is superior to ascetic practices mentioned in the Vedas like fasting etc. It is superior to knowledge acquired from the study of sastras. It is superior to works mentioned in Vedic Karmakanda, like the worship of the sacred Fire etc. That is, meditation on Atma is superior to knowledge acquired through the study of the sastras. The knowledge attained in Dhyana is direct and conclusive since the aim of spiritual sadhana is Self-realisation. Whatever brings the aspirant directly into contact with Atma, and lifts him to that plane, should be considered superior. Dhyana has that power of taking the yogi nearer and nearer to Atma.
Be thou a yogi: This is the Lord’s command to Arjuna. Having explained the process and excellence of yoga, the Lord commands his disciple to train himself as a yogi. The convincing arguments behind the command show how the Gita follows the rational path of judging first and decision next. Everything is examined on its own merits, and conclusions are drawn after a thorough understanding of the subject. So it is not blind faith that the Lord is expecting from his disciple. It is faith born of knowledge, judgment, and decision. The command applies to all people who are awakened from the delusion of life, and who are eager to overcome the infinite ills of life by knowing the truth. ‘Yoga’ and ‘Bhoga’ are both open to man. The one who chooses the first rise to the supreme state. The one who chooses the latter gets stuck up in the bog of samsara. Therefore one should strive to be a yogi and not a bhogi. He is not a yogi who merely puts on the ochre robes. He is a yogi who has withdrawn his mind from sense-pleasures, who keeps the senses under control, who looks inwards into the Self, and there comes to rest in peace. All human beings are qualified for this noble and grand aim.
Question: What is the superiority of a yogi?
Answer: He is superior to ascetics, to men of sastraic learning and to those who are engaged in performing the Vedic rites and rituals.
Question: What is Lord’s command?
Answer: ‘Be a yogi’ is the Lord’s command.