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TEXT 46 tapasvibhyo 'dhiko yogi
SYNONYMS  tapasvibhyah--than
the ascetic; adhikah--greater; yogi--the yogi; jnanibhyah--than
the wise; api--also; matah--considered; adhikah--greater
than; karmibhyah--than the fruitive worker; ca--also; adhikah--greater
than; yogi--the yogi; tasmat--therefore; yogi--a
transcendentalist; bhava--just become; arjuna--O Arjuna.
TRANSLATION A yogi is
greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than
the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi.
PURPORT When we speak
of yoga we refer to linking up our consciousness with the Supreme
Absolute Truth. Such a process is named differently by various practitioners
in terms of the particular method adopted. When the linking up process
is predominantly in fruitive activities, it is called karma-yoga,
when it is predominantly empirical, it is called jnana-yoga, and
when it is predominantly in a devotional relationship with the Supreme
Lord, it is called bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga or Krsna consciousness
is the ultimate perfection of all yogas, as will be explained in
the next verse. The Lord has confirmed herein the superiority of yoga,
but He has not mentioned that it is better than bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga
is full spiritual knowledge, and as such, nothing can excel it. Asceticism
without self-knowledge is imperfect. Empiric knowledge without surrender
to the Supreme Lord is also imperfect. And fruitive work without Krsna
consciousness is a waste of time. Therefore, the most highly praised form
of yoga performance mentioned here is bhakti-yoga, and this
is still more clearly explained in the next verse.
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