Devanagari
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिक: ।
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ॥ ४६ ॥
Verse text
tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī
jṣānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ
karmibhyaś cādhiko yogī
tasmād yogī bhavārjuna
Synonyms
tapasvibhyaḥ
—
than the ascetics
;
adhikaḥ
—
greater
;
yogī
—
the yogī
;
jṣānibhyaḥ
—
than the wise
;
api
—
also
;
mataḥ
—
considered
;
adhikaḥ
—
greater
;
karmibhyaḥ
—
than the fruitive workers
;
ca
—
also
;
adhikaḥ
—
greater
;
yogī
—
the yogī
;
tasmāt
—
therefore
;
yogī
—
a transcendentalist
;
bhava
—
just become
;
arjuna
—
O Arjuna.
Translation
A yogī is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogī.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
46. According to Me, the yogī is better than the tapasvī, better than the jṣānī, and better than the karma-yogī. Therefore be a yogī, Arjuna.
Translation (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
46. According to Me, the yogī is better than the tapasvī, better than the jṣānī, and better than the karma yogī. Therefore, be a yogī, Arjuna.
Purport
When we speak of yoga we refer to linking our consciousness with the Supreme Absolute Truth. Such a process is named differently by various practitioners in terms of the particular method adopted. When the linking process is predominantly in fruitive activities it is called karma-yoga, when it is predominantly empirical it is called jṣāna-yoga, and when it is predominantly in a devotional relationship with the Supreme Lord it is called bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is the ultimate perfection of all yogas, as will be explained in the next verse. The Lord has confirmed herein the superiority of yoga, but He has not mentioned that it is better than bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga is full spiritual knowledge, and therefore nothing can excel it. Asceticism without self-knowledge is imperfect. Empiric knowledge without surrender to the Supreme Lord is also imperfect. And fruitive work without Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a waste of time. Therefore, the most highly praised form of yoga performance mentioned here is bhakti-yoga, and this is still more clearly explained in the next verse.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Among those practicing karma, jṣāna, tapas and yoga, who is the best? It is My opinion that the yogī, worshipper of Paramātmā, [Note: However, many end up merging into the impersonal Brahman as stated in verse 15.] is better than the performers of austerities such as the difficult cāndrāyaṇa vrata, [Note: This is a fast in which every day food is decreased by a mouthful during the waning phase of the moon, and increased by a mouthful per day during the waxing phase.] and is better than the jṣānīs worshipping Brahman. If the yogī is better than the jṣānīs, it goes without saying that he is better than the karmīs.
Purport (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
Niṣkāma karma yoga which gives rise to jṣāna and culminates in aṣṭāṅga yoga is the cause of liberation. This is the final result for the fallen yogī. Having indicated this, the present verse praises the yogī.
I consider this yogī who practices the yoga described by Me to be superior to those dedicated to austerities, to the jṣānis who are knowledgeable of the meaning of scriptures, and to the followers of karma who perform pious acts and sacrifice with personal desire. Having attained liberation through the appearance of ātmā jṣāna, he is superior to the performers of austerity, the jṣānīs and karmis, who have not attained liberation because of lack of ātmā jṣāna. [Note: The jṣānī and karmī mentioned, who are inferior to the yogī, are not the niṣkāma karma yogī or the jṣānī who is the result of niṣkāma karma and realized ātmā. They are those who do engage in those practices but devoid of niṣkāma karma and devoid of worship of the Lord as prescribed by the Lord in the first six chapters. The niṣkāma karma yogī, the ātma jṣānī and the aṣṭaṅga yogī are all part of the same process, culminating in realization of paramātmā.]
Surrender Unto Me
The yogi, because he is concentrated on the Supersoul, is better than the karmi, tapasvi or jnani.