Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 43

English Translation

There he becomes endowed with that wisdom acired in the previous body. and he strives more than before for perfection, O scion of the Kuru dynasty.

Detailed Commentary

।।6.43।। Explanation: Regarding the phrase 'tatra taṁ buddhisamyogaṁ labhate paurvadehikaṁ' – the word 'tatra' (there) is used to indicate the state of that dispassionate sādhaka after taking birth in the lineage of enlightened Mahāpuruṣas. 'Paurvadehika' and 'Buddhisamyoga' imply that this sādhaka, detached from the world, does not have to go to Svarga or other realms; he takes direct birth in the family of Yogis. There, he effortlessly re-gains the sādhanā of his previous birth. For example, if someone falls asleep while walking, upon waking, they will have already covered that distance; or if someone has studied grammar and there's a gap of a few years, upon restudying, the previous knowledge is quickly regained. Similarly, the sādhanā and saṁskāras performed by him in the previous birth awaken in this life. Regarding 'yatate ca tato bhūyaḥ saṁsiddhau' – there he obtains the Buddhisamyoga of his previous birth and good company, which provides him with new insights and methods of sādhanā. This increases his zeal, and he strives exceptionally for Siddhi (perfection). If it is assumed that both types of Yogabhraṣṭa (fallen Yogis) first go to Svarga and other realms, and then one, with desires for worldly enjoyments, is born in a wealthy family (śrīmān-gṛha), and the other, without such desires, is born in the lineage of Yogis, then, considering the terms (padas), this interpretation is not appropriate. Because, adopting such a meaning, one born in the lineage 'of Yogis' cannot be called 'Paurvadehika'. 'Paurvadehika' is applicable only when there is no intervening body. If one goes to Svarga and other realms and *then* takes birth in the lineage of Yogis, it can be considered 'Pūrvābhyāsa' (practice from previous life), but not 'Paurvadehika'. The reason is that in Svarga and other realms, there is an abundance of material for enjoyment (bhoga-sāmagrī), and the question of sādhanā does not arise there. Therefore, the idea that both these Yogabhraṣṭa souls go to Svarga and then return is not appropriate according to the context (prakaraṇa). Secondly, one with desires for enjoyments (bhoga-vāsanā) may go to Svarga, but sending a sādhaka who has deviated from sādhanā without having desires for enjoyments to Svarga is improper. Connection: In the current verse, the Lord explained that one who takes birth in the lineage of enlightened Yogis attains the Buddhisamyoga from their past life and diligently engages in sādhanā. Now, in the subsequent verse, the state of the Yogabhraṣṭa who is born in a wealthy household (śrīmān-gṛha) will be described.