Chapter 6, Verse 44 (Bhagavad Gita 6.44)
Chapter 6: Dhyān Yog – Path of Meditation
Sanskrit Shloka
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः। जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते
Transliteration
pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva hriyate hyavaśho ’pi saḥ jijñāsur api yogasya śhabda-brahmātivartate
Word Meanings
pūrva—past; abhyāsena—discipline; tena—by that; eva—certainly; hriyate—is attracted; hi—surely; avaśhaḥ—helplessly; api—although; saḥ—that person; jijñāsuḥ—inquisitive; api—even; yogasya—about yog; śhabda-brahma—fruitive portion of the Vedas; ativartate—transcends
Translation
By that very previous practice he is carried forward, even against his will. Indeed, even one who merely inquires about Yoga transcends the ritualistic pronouncements of the Vedas.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals the permanence of spiritual growth, suggesting that no sincere effort toward self-realization is ever lost. Even if one pauses or fails, the 'samskaras' or deep-seated impressions of past spiritual discipline act as a magnetic force, naturally pulling the seeker back toward their divine destination. It emphasizes that the intention to seek truth holds more weight than mere adherence to scriptural rituals or dogmas. By simply questioning and seeking, the individual begins to transcend the limitations of external religious traditions and moves toward a direct, experiential understanding of the Divine. Ultimately, this teaching reassures the seeker that the evolution of consciousness is an inevitable journey once the path has been glimpsed.