Bhagavad Gita 6.42

Verse 42

अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् | एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् || ४२ ||

Transliteration

athavā yoginām eva kule bhavati dhīmatām etad dhi durlabha-taraṃ loke janma yad īdṛśam

Synonyms

athavā—or; yoginām—of learned transcendentalists; eva—certainly; kule—in the family; bhavati—takes birth; dhīmatām—of those who are endowed with great wisdom; etat—this; hi—certainly; durlabha-taram—very rare; loke—in this world; janma—birth; yat—that which; īdṛśam—like this.

Translation

Or — and this is even rarer — he is born into a family of wise yogis. A birth such as this is indeed very rare in this world.

Multi-Tradition Commentary

Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita)

The two possibilities for the fallen yogi's rebirth are given: either into a prosperous righteous family (verse 6.41) or — more rarely and more auspiciously — directly into a family of practicing yogis and wise teachers. This second birth is called 'durlabha-taram' — even rarer — because it provides not just material conditions but direct living exposure to yogic knowledge and culture from birth. Such an environment is the greatest external gift for the resuming yogi.

Practical Application (Modern Life)

If you were born into a family with any spiritual wisdom, tradition, or genuine ethical values — even imperfect ones — recognise this as a rare blessing. It represents accumulated spiritual karma creating favorable conditions. Honour it by using this advantage fully.

Chapter Content

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