Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga - The Yoga of MeditationArjuna
Verse 38
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 6, श्लोक 38
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टश्छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति।
अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि॥
Transliteration
Kachchin-Na-Ubhaya-Vibhrashtash-Chhinna-Abhram-Iva Nashyati.
Apratishto Maha-Baho Vimudho Brahmanah Pathi.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
कच्चित्kachchitis it not
नnanot
उभयविभ्रष्टःubhaya-vibhrashtahfallen from both
छिन्नाभ्रम्chhinna-abhrama torn cloud
इवivalike
नश्यतिnashyatiperishes
अप्रतिष्ठःapratishtahwithout foundation
महाबाहोmaha-bahoO mighty-armed
विमूढःvimudhahbewildered
ब्रह्मणःbrahmanahof Brahman
पथिpathion the path
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे महाबाहो! क्या ब्रह्म के मार्ग पर भ्रमित, दोनों ओर से भ्रष्ट — वह छिन्न मेघ (टूटे बादल) की तरह निराधार होकर नष्ट नहीं हो जाता?
English Translation
O mighty-armed, does such a person, fallen from both paths, bewildered on the path to Brahman, not perish like a torn cloud — without any foundation?
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna's beautiful and poignant metaphor of a 'torn cloud' perfectly captures the fear of spiritual failure. A cloud torn from its group dissipates without producing rain — it neither remained with its group nor reached the earth. Similarly, Arjuna fears that the failed yogi might lose both worldly pleasures (having renounced them) and spiritual liberation (having failed to achieve it), left with nothing.