Bhagavad Gita · Verse 6.44
Chapter 6: Atma Sanyama Yoga (Dhyana Yoga) (आत्मसंयमयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः । जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ॥४४॥
pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva hriyate hyavaśo'pi saḥ | jijñāsurapi yogasya śabdabrahmātivartate ||44||
Complete Shloka Translation
That former practice draws the person onward, even involuntarily. Even one who seeks to know yoga goes beyond Shabda-Brahman.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पूर्वाभ्यासेन | pūrvābhyāsena | through former practice |
| शब्दब्रह्म | śabdabrahma | the Veda as word |
| तेनैव | tenaiva | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
| ह्रियते | hriyate | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
| ह्यवशोऽपि | hyavaśo'pi | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
| सः | saḥ | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
| जिज्ञासुरपि | jijñāsurapi | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
| योगस्य | yogasya | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
| शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते | śabdabrahmātivartate | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
| ४४ | śabdabrahmātivartate | [term] in context of That former practice draws the... |
through former practice
the Veda as word
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
[term] in context of That former practice draws the...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Shabda-Brahman is read here as the Veda and its ritual domain; other traditions explain it as prakriti. Going beyond concerns realization, not contempt for sacred study.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Inquiry can move learning beyond repetition toward lived understanding."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where could inquiry turn repetition into deeper understanding?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master mental clarity and resilience: when your mind wanders into anxiety or distraction, gently bring it back without judgment, maintaining balance in food, sleep, work, and mindful reflection.