abhyāsayogena cainam yajante pūjayanti ca
“And by the practice of yoga, they worship and pay homage to Him.”
Structure
abhyāsa-yogena ca enam yajante pūjayanti ca
te (they) abhyāsa-yogena (by practice of yoga) ca (and) enam (Him) yajante (worship) pūjayanti (honor) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| abhyāsa-yogena | abhyāsa-yogena | compound | karmadhāraya · "abhyāsa-yoga ena" | by the practice of yoga |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| enam | enam | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him |
| yajante | yajante | verb | √yaj · laṭ-present · third | they worship |
| pūjayanti | pūjayanti | verb | √pūj · laṭ-present · third | they honor |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse 'abhyāsayogena cainam yajante pūjayanti ca' highlights the importance of practice in realizing the ultimate reality. According to Shankara, the practice of yoga here refers to the cultivation of a steady mind, free from distractions, which is essential for realizing the non-dual nature of Brahman. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Shankara emphasizes that the goal of yoga is to realize the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse points to the idea that through the practice of yoga, one can transcend the limitations of the individual self and realize the ultimate reality, which is the essence of non-duality. Shankara's reasoning on this verse is closely related to his commentary on the Upanishads, where he emphasizes the importance of Self-inquiry and the realization of the non-dual nature of reality. By practicing yoga, one can remove the veil of ignorance and realize the ultimate truth, which is the identity of the individual self with Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as emphasizing the importance of devotion and worship in achieving a relationship with the divine. According to Ramanuja, the practice of yoga referred to in this verse is not just a physical or mental discipline, but a means of cultivating love and devotion for the ultimate reality, which is Vishnu or Krishna. The verse highlights the idea that through devotion and worship, one can establish a personal relationship with the divine, which is the ultimate goal of human existence. Madhva, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of knowledge and self-surrender in realizing the ultimate reality. He sees the practice of yoga as a means of surrendered devotion, where the individual self (jīva) surrenders to the will of the divine (Īśvara). This verse, according to Madhva, points to the idea that through devotion and self-surrender, one can achieve liberation and attain the ultimate goal of human existence, which is to realize the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda sees this verse as a call to action, emphasizing the importance of practice and effort in realizing the ultimate reality. In his lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, Vivekananda emphasizes that the practice of yoga is not just a physical or mental discipline, but a means of realizing the universal and ultimate truth. He sees the verse as pointing to the idea that through practice and dedication, one can transcend the limitations of the individual self and realize the ultimate reality, which is the essence of human existence. Radhakrishnan, on the other hand, emphasizes the universal and practical application of this verse, seeing it as a call to cultivate a sense of compassion, empathy, and understanding. According to Radhakrishnan, the practice of yoga referred to in this verse is not just a means of individual liberation, but a means of realizing the universal and ultimate truth, which is the essence of human existence. In his writings, Radhakrishnan emphasizes the importance of cultivating a sense of inner peace and tranquility, which is essential for realizing the ultimate reality and achieving the ultimate goal of human existence.