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Bhagavad Gita 6.46 — Tapasvibhyo Adhiko Yogi

Bhagavad Gita 6.46 — Tapasvibhyo Adhiko Yogi in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Morning before meditation, to set the day’s spiritual resolve·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 46
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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Near the close of the Dhyana Yoga chapter, Krishna exalts the yogi above the ascetic, above the merely learned, and above the ritualist, and lovingly urges Arjuna: 'Therefore, be a yogi.' The verse declares the supremacy of the path of meditation and union with the Divine over external austerity, dry scholarship and mere ritual action.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 46 · Bhagavan Sri Krishna (as recorded by Maharishi Veda Vyasa) · Ancient (part of the Mahabharata, c. 5th–2nd century BCE in present form)

As the Dhyana Yoga chapter concludes, Krishna lifts Arjuna's aspiration by ranking the yogi above all other spiritual practitioners and gently commanding him to become one. The verse crowns the chapter's detailed teaching on meditation with a stirring exhortation, and leads directly into the final verse praising the loving devotee as the foremost yogi.

✦ As told in scripture

Teachers cite this verse to encourage wavering seekers, recounting how earnest practitioners who heeded Krishna's call to 'be a yogi' rose above outward austerities into the bliss of inner communion described throughout the chapter.

The Mantra

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tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ karmibhyaśh chādhiko yogī tasmād yogī bhavārjuna

Meaning:The yogi is thought to be superior to the ascetics, even superior to those who have knowledge obtained through the study of scriptures; he is also superior to men of action; therefore, be thou a yogi, O Arjuna.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

tapasvibhyaḥ🔊than the ascetics
adhikaḥ🔊superior
yogī🔊a yogi
jñānibhyaḥ🔊than the persons of (mere scriptural) learning
api🔊even
mataḥ🔊considered, thought to be
adhikaḥ🔊superior
karmibhyaḥ🔊than the ritualistic performers of action
cha🔊and
adhikaḥ🔊superior
yogī🔊a yogi
tasmāt🔊therefore
yogī🔊a yogi
bhava🔊just become
arjuna🔊O Arjuna

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 6.46 — Tapasvibhyo Adhiko Yogi

✦

Affirms the supremacy of the yogi over ascetic, scholar and ritualist

✦

Inspires the aspirant to choose the inward path of meditation and union

✦

Encourages going beyond external austerity to inner realization

✦

A motivating verse for steadfast spiritual practice (sadhana)

✦

Reminds that direct experience surpasses mere book-knowledge

✦

Strengthens resolve with Krishna's loving call: 'therefore, be a yogi'

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 6.46 — Tapasvibhyo Adhiko Yogi

Repetitions11times
Best TimeMorning before meditation, to set the day’s spiritual resolve

Recite the verse to renew your commitment to sadhana. Let Krishna’s closing words 'tasmād yogī bhavārjuna' echo as a personal call to become a yogi — to seek not outer show of austerity or learning but the inward union of meditation. Then sit for your practice with that resolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 6.46 — Tapasvibhyo Adhiko Yogi written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
It declares the yogi to be superior to the tapasvi (ascetic), to the jnani of mere scriptural learning, and to the karmi (ritualistic worker). Krishna concludes with the encouragement: 'therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi.'
Because the yogi unites the heart and mind directly with the Divine through meditation, going beyond external austerity, intellectual knowledge alone, and ritual action. Direct inner realization is held above all merely outward disciplines.
It does not reject them but ranks them below true yoga. Austerity, study and ritual are valuable steps, yet they reach their fulfilment only in the inward union that the yogi attains.
In the very next and final verse of the chapter (6.47), Krishna goes further, calling the devotee who worships Him with faith and inner love the greatest of all yogis — uniting the path of meditation with bhakti.

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