126. Supremacy of the Yogi

 


Krishna says, “The yogi is superior to the tapasvi (ascetic), superior to the ‘shastra jnani’ (a person of learning), and even superior to the karmi (ritualistic performer). Therefore, O Arjuna, strive to be a yogi (6.46). Of all yogis, those whose minds are always absorbed in Me, and who engage in devotion to Me with great shraddha (trust/surrender), them, I consider to be the most equilibrated” (6.47).

Yoga means union and yogi is the one who attained union with self. Krishna described various facets of yogi on different occasions. These include transcending polarities (dwandwa-atheeth); transcending gunas (guna-atheeth) realising that gunas are real karta and one is just a sakshi; equanimity (samatva) to friend and enemy or praise and criticism; performing unmotivated actions (nishkaam-karma) like yajna; dropping expectations of karma-phal (fruits of action). Above all, a yogi is content with himself.

Tapasvi is someone who maintains strict discipline, sacrifices and vows to attain something noble. They are admired because they do something that an ordinary person doesn’t do in a normal course. But the desire to attain something is still there and that makes a tapasvi inferior to a yogi who dropped all desires including the desire to see Paramatma. The desires get lost in yogi like the rivers lose their existence once they enter the ocean (2.70).

‘Shastra jnani’ is referred to as someone keen to attain knowledge. Even this quality is admired as he knows something more than an ordinary person. But yogi realises all beings in the self; self in all beings (6.29) and doesn’t get deluded (4.35). Nothing is left to know beyond this.

Karmi is bound to ritualistic performances whereas a yogi performs unmotivated actions like yajna and is never bound in karma bandhan (bondage of action). Hence, yogi is superior to karmi.


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