Sāṅkhya-yoga

Theme and purpose

Dhyāna Yoga or Aṣṭāṅga-yoga has two stages – yogārurukṣa (beginning) to yogārūḍha (advanced). Aṣṭāṅga-yoga has various practices and its perfection is to realizing the Supersoul. In yoga it is necessary to control the mind by practice and detachment. Even an unsuccessful yogī is given another opportunity to attain perfection. Bhakti-yogī is the topmost yogī.

How this chapter connects

Sections and key teachings

1. 6.1–9 Advancing in Aṣṭāṅga-yoga (Ārurukṣa to Ārūḍha Stage)
   4 subsections

   • 6.1–2 Yoga and sannyāsa are the same
   • 6.3–4 Two levels of Aṣṭāṅga-yoga – beginning stage (ārurukṣa) and advanced stage (ārūḍha)
   • 6.5–6 Mind is both friend and enemy
   • 6.7–9 Symptoms of a person in Yogārūḍha stage
2. 6.10–32 The Stages of Aṣṭāṅga-yoga Practice
   6 subsections

   • 6.10–17 Practicing stage of Aṣṭāṅga-yoga – basic practices, recommendation and goal of Aṣṭāṅga-yoga
   • 6.18–23 Perfectional stage of Aṣṭāṅga-yoga – various aspects and realizations of perfection
   • 6.24–32 Attaining perfection in Aṣṭāṅga-yoga (Realizing the Supersoul)
   • 6.24–26 Methods to attain Yogārūḍha stage and the success formula of bringing the mind back
   • 6.27–30 The platforms of Brahma-bhūta (realizing ātma) and Brahma-saṁsparśa (realizing paramātma), and seing Kṛṣṇa everywhere
   • 6.31–32 Actions of a perfect yogī
3. 6.33–36 Necessity of controlling the mind
   3 subsections

   • 6.33–34 Arjuna’s concern: Aṣṭāṅga-yoga is impractical due to fickle mind
   • 6.35 Kṛṣṇa’s solution: Control the mind by practice and detachment
   • 6.36 Kṛṣṇa’s conclusion: Mind control is must for yoga
4. 6.37–45 The destination of an unsuccessful yogī
   2 subsections

   • 6.37–39 Arjuna’s inquiry about the fate of a fallen yogī
   • 6.40–45 Kṛṣṇa’s reply – For a yogī there is no misfortune even in failure; fate of fallen yogī after short and long practice; he resumes yoga and attains perfection
5. 6.46–47 Bhakti-yogī, the topmost yogī
   2 subsections

   • 6.46 A yogī is greater than tapasvī, jñānī and karmī
   • 6.47 Bhakti-yogī who serves Kṛṣṇa is the best of all yogīs

All verses

6.1–9

• 6.1
• 6.2
• 6.3
• 6.4
• 6.5
• 6.6
• 6.7
• 6.8
• 6.9

6.10–32

• 6.10
• 6.11–12
• 6.13–14
• 6.15
• 6.16
• 6.17
• 6.18
• 6.19
• 6.20–23
• 6.24
• 6.25
• 6.26
• 6.27
• 6.28
• 6.29
• 6.30
• 6.31
• 6.32

6.33–36

• 6.33
• 6.34
• 6.35
• 6.36

6.37–45

• 6.37
• 6.38
• 6.39
• 6.40
• 6.41
• 6.42
• 6.43
• 6.44
• 6.45

6.46–47

• 6.46
• 6.47