Chapter 6 · Shloka 42— The Yoga of Meditation / Self-Control

atha vā yoginām eva kule bhavati dhīmatām etad dhi durlabhataraṁ loke janma yad īdṛiśham

atha vā

— else

yoginām

— of those endowed with divine wisdom

eva

— certainly

kule

— in the family

bhavati

— take birth

dhī-matām

— of the wise

etat

— this

hi

— certainly

durlabha-taram

— very rare

loke

— in this world

janma

— birth

yat

— which

īdṛiśham

— like this

"Athava yoginam eva kule bhavati dhimatam, etad dhi durlabhataram loke janma yad idrsam." — Or else he is born in a family of wise yogis; such a birth is very rare to obtain in this world. Krishna offers a second, even more remarkable possibility for the reborn seeker (continuing from 6.41). Instead of being born into a merely pure and prosperous family, the fallen yogi may take birth 'yoginam eva kule ... dhimatam' — in a family of yogis themselves, of the wise. This is the more advanced case: a soul who had progressed further in their previous effort is reborn directly into a spiritual lineage, surrounded from birth by wisdom and practice. Krishna emphasizes the extraordinary value of such a birth: 'etad hi durlabhataram loke janma yad idrsam' — such a birth is exceedingly rare to attain in this world. Shankaracharya notes the word 'durlabhataram' (very rare, harder to obtain) — birth into a family of established yogis is among the rarest and most fortunate of all human births, because it provides the most favorable conditions imaginable for spiritual realization: immersion in wisdom from the very start of life. The verse deepens the consolation of 6.40–41. Not just does the sincere seeker not lose — they may actually gain a profoundly advantageous rebirth, one most people would consider supremely fortunate. The 'failure' continues to reveal itself as no failure at all, but a steady, secured progression toward the goal across lifetimes.

Krishna goes further: the sincere seeker who advanced more may be born directly into a family steeped in wisdom and practice — among the most fortunate circumstances possible, because you'd be immersed in growth from day one. The underlying principle, beyond rebirth specifics, is encouraging: the further you genuinely progress, the better your starting position becomes for whatever comes next. Growth isn't just preserved — it can place you in increasingly favorable conditions. Think of how the skills and character you build now shape the opportunities and environments available to you later. Sincere inner work doesn't just carry forward; it can upgrade your entire trajectory.

Krishna takes it even further: a seeker who progressed more might be born straight into a family steeped in wisdom and practice — one of the most fortunate setups possible, because you'd be marinating in growth from day one. The principle beneath the rebirth specifics is genuinely motivating: the further you actually progress, the better your starting position for whatever's next. Growth isn't just saved — it can place you in increasingly favorable conditions. Think about how the skills and character you build NOW shape the doors and environments available to you later. Sincere inner work doesn't just carry forward — it can upgrade your whole trajectory.

Krishna shares an even more amazing possibility! Sometimes the good seeker is born into a family of wise, spiritual people — and Krishna says this kind of birth is VERY rare and super special! Imagine being born into a family where everyone is kind, wise, and helps you grow from the very beginning. That's like getting the best possible start! So the seeker who tried hard before gets an even bigger head start. Their good effort keeps paying off in wonderful ways!