In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concerns about the mind’s restlessness (06.33-34) by assuring him that practice will bring perfection (06.35-36). Krishna’s answer raises another concern for Arjuna. Or rather, it raises a series of related concerns: “How long will he need to practice? What if he is unable to practice lifelong? What if practicing for his remaining lifetime is not enough? What will be his fate if he starts serious spiritual practice but doesn’t complete it? “

In responding to Arjuna’s three-verse question (06.37-39), Krishna listens for both feelings and meanings. Sensing Arjuna’s apprehension, Krishna first assures him with a heart-warming verse: One who seeks the ultimate good will neither perish nor degrade, either in this life or the next (06.40). 

Then, Krishna addresses the substance of Arjuna’s question by outlining the post-mortem trajectory of seekers who haven’t attained perfection (06.41-45). If they have a lot of residual worldly desires, they will be elevated to heavenly planets, which offer profuse facilities for indulging in those desires for a long time. When those desires are sated, they will take birth again on the earth in a family that is cultured and moneyed. If they don’t have too many residual worldly desires, they will take birth in a wise family that prioritizes spiritual growth. In both cases — in the second more than the first — they will get outer opportunities to pursue spiritual growth. And they will get inner facilities too; the attraction to transcendence they have cultivated by their present practice will resurface in their future lives. And it will provide them with inner momentum to pursue spiritual growth till they attain perfection.

One-sentence summary:

Even if we can’t complete our spiritual journey in this life, we can continue it in our future lives — we will be provided with both spiritually conducive situations and spiritually curious dispositions. 

Think it over: 

  • When told that yoga practice will lead to perfection, why does Arjuna still feel concerned?
  • For continuing their spiritual journey in future lives, how are seekers provided external help?
  • And how are they provided internal help?

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06.37: Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the destination of the unsuccessful transcendentalist, who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization with faith but who later desists due to worldly-mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism?

Arjuna’s eighth question: What if one can’t practice yoga till one attains perfection?

To know more about this verse, please click on the image