Chapter 6, Verse 41 (Bhagavad Gita 6.41)
Chapter 6: Dhyān Yog – Path of Meditation
Sanskrit Shloka
प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः। शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते
Transliteration
prāpya puṇya-kṛitāṁ lokān uṣhitvā śhāśhvatīḥ samāḥ śhuchīnāṁ śhrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣhṭo’bhijāyate
Word Meanings
prāpya—attain; puṇya-kṛitām—of the virtuous; lokān—abodes; uṣhitvā—after dwelling; śhāśhvatīḥ—many; samāḥ—ages; śhuchīnām—of the pious; śhrī-matām—of the prosperous; gehe—in the house; yoga-bhraṣhṭaḥ—the unsuccessful yogis; abhijāyate—take birth;
Translation
Having attained the worlds of the righteous and dwelt there for many years, he who fell from Yoga is reborn in the house of the pure and prosperous.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals the profound truth that spiritual endeavor is never lost, even if it remains incomplete. When a seeker falls from the path of Yoga, the universe ensures that their previous merit acts as a foundation for their next life, providing an environment conducive to continued growth. By being born into a pure and affluent household, the soul is granted the stability and moral guidance necessary to pick up where it left off. It teaches us that spiritual progress is cumulative across lifetimes, offering immense hope that our sincere efforts towards truth are preserved by the divine order. Ultimately, it emphasizes that there is no 'failure' in the quest for enlightenment, only temporary pauses in a long journey toward perfection.