Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 45

English Translation

However, the yogi, applying himself assiduously, becoming purified from sin and attaining perfection through many births, thery acheives the highest Goal.

Detailed Commentary

।।6.45।। Commentary—While yogis are born in the families of तत्त्वज्ञ *tattvajñ* (knowers of Truth) and जीवन्मुक्त *jīvanmukta* (liberated while living) yogis, and attain the परमात्मा *Paramātmā* (Supreme Self) through special effort, this verse describes how a yogi born in the home of the affluent attains the परमात्मा. 'तु' *tu* (but) implies that when an aspirant of Yoga rises above the performance of सकाम कर्म *sakāma karma* (actions with desire for fruit) prescribed in the Vedas, he then strives diligently in Yoga and attains the परमगति *paramagati* (supreme state). A 'योगी' *yogi* is one who seeks the परमात्मा तत्त्व *Paramātmā Tattva* (essence of the Supreme Self) and समता *samatā* (equanimity), and does not get entangled in the द्वंद्व *dvandvas* (dualities) like attachment-aversion, joy-sorrow, etc. 'प्रयत्नाद्यतमनः' *prayatnādyatamanaḥ* means that he makes earnest efforts, and his longing for the परमात्मा continuously increases, remaining vigilant in his spiritual practice. A person who has fallen from Yoga, born in the home of the affluent, is drawn towards the परमात्मा due to his previous *abhyāsa* (practice), but is also attracted to the world. If he renounces enjoyments with brave effort, he attains the परमात्मा. 'संशुद्धकिल्बिषः' *saṁśuddhakilbiṣaḥ* means that all his inner faults and sins are destroyed; desires for enjoyment, accumulation, honor, etc., cease. 'अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धः' *anekajanmasaṁsiddhaḥ* means that he has been an experiencer in his previous births. First, he made efforts in Yoga, then became purified after developing disinterest in enjoyments in Svarga (heaven), and now in the present birth, he has a special resolve to attain the परमात्मा through diligent effort. 'ततो याति परां गतिम्' *tato yāti parāṁ gatim* means that such a person attains the परमगति *paramagati*, which is the greatest gain and where no sorrow can ever disturb him. The profound point is that a human being has come having been purified through virtues and vices over many births. Therefore, he can strive to attain the परमगति. The Lord has granted humanity the opportunity to achieve self-realization in this birth, and one should take advantage of it. Connection—The Lord has stated that one who has fallen from Yoga does not perish in this world or the next; rather, even an aspirant of Yoga reaches a higher level. This will be described in the next verse.