sa yogaḥ pravakṣyāmi rājan śrutipūrvakam. yogyastvayā pravṛddho'yaṁ kāmaḥ kāmātmanā.
“I shall now declare this yoga, O King, having heard it; you have suitably developed this desire born of your own self.”
Structure
saḥ yogaḥ pravakṣyāmi rājan śrutipūrvakam yogyas tvayā pravṛddho yaṁ kāmaḥ kāmātmanā
saḥ (that) yogaḥ (yoga) pravakṣyāmi (I will explain) rājan (O king) śrutipūrvakam (in accordance with śruti) yogyas (having been increased) tvayā (by you) yaṁ (which) kāmaḥ (desire) kāmātmanā (by one who is self-controlled) pravṛddho (has been increased)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| saḥ | saḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | that |
| yogaḥ | yogaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | yoga |
| pravakṣyāmi | pravakṣyāmi | verb | √kṣan · laṭ-present · first | I shall explain |
| rājan | rājan | noun | vocative · singular · masculine | O king |
| śrutipūrvakam | śrutipūrvakam | indeclinable | — | as has been previously heard |
| yogyas | yogyas | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | you are fit |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by you |
| pravṛddho | pravṛddho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | has been increased |
| yaṁ | yaṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | which |
| kāmaḥ | kāmaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | desire |
| kāmātmanā | kāmātmanā | compound | bahuvrīhi · "kāma ātmanā yasya" | having the self controlled by desire |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara interprets this verse as highlighting the non-dual nature of reality. The phrase 'saḥ yogaḥ' refers to the union of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Shankara notes that the word 'yoga' here signifies the realization of one's true nature, which is beyond all duality. The phrase 'yogyastvayā pravṛddho'yaṁ kāmaḥ kāmātmanā' suggests that the desire for self-realization arises from the individual's own nature, implying that the ātman is inherently drawn to its true essence. This verse, according to Shankara, points to the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedānta: the direct experience of brahman-ātman identity, where the individual ego is transcended, and the non-dual reality is realized. As Shankara states in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, 'the ultimate reality is one, unchanging, and beyond all duality.' This verse serves as a reminder of the soteriological goal of Advaita Vedānta.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord. The phrase 'saḥ yogaḥ' refers to the divine grace that enables the individual to attain union with the Lord. Rāmānujācārya notes that the word 'yoga' here signifies the means of achieving this union, which is through devotion and self-surrender. The phrase 'yogyastvayā pravṛddho'yaṁ kāmaḥ kāmātmanā' suggests that the desire for spiritual growth arises from the individual's inherent longing for the Lord, which is a natural consequence of the jīva's inherent relationship with Īśvara. According to Rāmānujācārya, this verse highlights the importance of cultivating a deep sense of devotion and surrender to the Lord, which is the means of attaining liberation. As Rāmānujācārya states in his commentary on the Brahmasutras, 'the Lord is the ultimate reality, and the individual self is dependent on Him.' This verse serves as a reminder of the central role of devotion in the Vaiṣṇava tradition.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of this verse. He interpreted the phrase 'saḥ yogaḥ' as referring to the union of the individual with the universal, which is the ultimate goal of human existence. According to Vivekānanda, the word 'yoga' here signifies the integration of the individual's physical, mental, and spiritual faculties, which is essential for achieving this union. The phrase 'yogyastvayā pravṛddho'yaṁ kāmaḥ kāmātmanā' suggests that the desire for spiritual growth arises from the individual's own nature, implying that the pursuit of self-realization is a fundamental aspect of human existence. As Vivekānanda states in his book 'Raja Yoga', 'the goal of yoga is to realize the unity of the individual with the universal.' This verse, according to Vivekānanda, serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a deep sense of inner awareness and self-discipline, which is essential for achieving success in all aspects of life. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a call to integrate the various aspects of one's personality, and to cultivate a sense of inner balance and harmony, which is essential for achieving happiness and fulfillment.