Bhagavad Gita 6.47 — Among All Yogis, the Devotional Yogi Is the Supreme
योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना।
श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः॥ ६.४७॥
Among all yogis, the one who, with unwavering faith, fixes the mind and heart on Me and lovingly worships Me is considered by Me to be the most perfectly united and the highest of all yogis.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yoginām | among all yogīs |
| api | even |
| sarveṣām | of all |
| madgatena | absorbed in Me |
| antarātmanā | with the innermost heart and mind |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śraddhāvān | full of faith |
| bhajate | worships and lovingly serves |
| yaḥ | who |
| mām | Me |
| saḥ | he |
| me | in My opinion |
| yuktatamaḥ | the most perfectly united with Me through Yoga |
| mataḥ | is regarded |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yoginām | among all yogīs | śraddhāvān | full of faith |
| api | even | bhajate | worships and lovingly serves |
| sarveṣām | of all | yaḥ | who |
| madgatena | absorbed in Me | mām | Me |
| antarātmanā | with the innermost heart and mind | saḥ | he |
| me | in My opinion | ||
| yuktatamaḥ | the most perfectly united with Me through Yoga | ||
| mataḥ | is regarded | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In the concluding verse of this chapter, Lord Krishna reveals the highest form of yoga, declaring that the yogi who worships Him with unwavering faith and loving devotion is the most intimately united with Him.
Essence
Lord Krishna's Final Teaching on the Highest Yogi
Lord Krishna concludes the chapter by identifying the greatest among all yogis. While every sincere yogi is worthy of respect, the one whose heart is filled with loving devotion to the Lord occupies the highest position.
Yoginām api sarveṣām (among all yogis): Lord Krishna considers every genuine practitioner of yoga to be noble. Yet He now reveals the distinguishing characteristic of the highest yogi.
Mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā (whose inner being is absorbed in Me): The greatest yogi keeps the heart and mind constantly absorbed in Lord Krishna. Their relationship with the Lord is not occasional but continuous and deeply personal.
Śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ (who worships Me with faith): The foundation of this highest yoga is unwavering faith expressed through loving devotion. Such worship is not motivated by fear or worldly gain but arises from genuine love, trust, and surrender.
Sa me yuktatamo mataḥ (that yogi is considered by Me to be the most perfectly united): Lord Krishna declares that the devotee whose mind is lovingly fixed upon Him is the most perfectly united in yoga. Devotion completes and perfects all other aspects of spiritual practice because it establishes a living relationship with the Supreme.
With this beautiful conclusion, Lord Krishna reveals that the ultimate goal of yoga is not merely mental peace or self-mastery but loving union with the Supreme Lord. Devotion is presented as the highest fulfillment of meditation, knowledge, and selfless action.
Message for Everyday Life (The Highest Yoga Is Loving Devotion)
Let love for God become the center of your life: Spiritual practices become truly transformative when they are inspired by sincere love rather than mere obligation.
Practical approach: Along with meditation, scriptural study, and righteous living, cultivate a personal relationship with Lord Krishna through prayer, japa, remembrance, and loving service. When devotion becomes the heart of your spiritual life, every action naturally becomes an offering to Him, and yoga reaches its highest perfection.
Next Topic
Thus concludes Chapter 6, <em>Dhyāna-yoga</em>, where Lord Krishna explains the discipline of meditation, mastery of the mind, the destiny of the sincere seeker, and ultimately reveals that loving devotion to Him is the highest and most complete expression of yoga.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The deepest connection is born from love, not obligation.
Faith transforms practice into relationship.
The highest yoga is union through loving awareness.
Where the heart rests, life finds its direction.
Knowledge informs, but devotion transforms.
A focused heart becomes a powerful force for inner change.
The most meaningful journey is toward the Divine within.