The verse

Bhagavad Gita 6.44BG 6.44 · Chapter 6, Verse 44

Dhyana Yoga

A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps

“Earlier practice keeps pulling you forward, even against resistance.”

The verse
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः ।
जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ॥

Even against his will, he is drawn onward by that earlier practice. Even the seeker of yoga goes beyond the sound of ritual words.

— Krishna
Bhagavad Gita · 6.44
Hindi · हिन्दी
वह श्रीमानोंके घरमें जन्म लेनेवाला योगभ्रष्ट मनुष्य भोगोंके परवश होता हुआ भी पूर्वजन्ममें किये हुए अभ्याससाधन के कारण ही परमात्माकी तरफ खिंच जाता है क्योंकि योगसमता का जिज्ञासु भी वेदोंमें कहे हुए सकाम कर्मोंका अतिक्रमण कर जाता है ॥
Themes:Dhyana
Word by word

The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.

पूर्वाभ्यासेनby earlier practiceतेनby thatएवindeedह्रियतेis drawn awayहिcertainlyअवशःagainst his willअपिevenजिज्ञासुःseekerअपिevenयोगस्यof yoga

Read literallyby earlier practice · by that · indeed · is drawn away · certainly · against his will · even · seeker · even · of yoga

Understanding the verse

Old practice pulls the yogi forward even against his will, past the mere sound of ritual words.

Built onYogaAbhyasaShabdabrahma
In plain words

What this verse means

Past practice pulls a person toward yoga even when the person is not fully in control. A sincere seeker also rises beyond ritual words and outer religious forms.

On the battlefield

Context & commentary

Krishna explains that past practice keeps drawing a fallen yogi back, and even someone who simply wants to know yoga moves beyond ritual-minded action.

In your life

What it looks like today

After years away from the tabla, you sit at a friend's house and your hands find the old rhythm before you think. Krishna describes that pull: earlier practice draws you back almost on its own.

The takeaway

“Your deepest practice keeps working even when willpower fades.”

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Krishna on the inward path of meditation — Dhyana Yoga
Chapter 6 · The Yoga of Meditation
Dhyana Yoga
47 verses
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Explore related themes: dhyana (31 verses)

Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 6.44 mean?

Past practice pulls a person toward yoga even when the person is not fully in control. A sincere seeker also rises beyond ritual words and outer religious forms.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.44?

Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Dhyana Yoga" (The Yoga of Meditation).

Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 6.44?

Verse 44 sits in Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — Dhyana Yoga, "The Yoga of Meditation". The chapter has 47 verses in total.

Why does Bhagavad Gita 6.44 matter today?

After years away from the tabla, you sit at a friend's house and your hands find the old rhythm before you think. Krishna describes that pull: earlier practice draws you back almost on its own.

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