कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टश्छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति। अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि।।6.38।।
kaccit na ubhaya vibhraṣṭaḥ chinna abhram iva naśyati; apratiṣṭhaḥ mahā‑bāho vimūḍhaḥ brahmaṇaḥ pathi
Translation
Does not such a person who deviates from Yoga perish like a torn cloud, having no footing, O mighty‑armed Krishna, bewildered on the path of the transcendent?
Word Meanings
kaccit — whether; na — not; ubhaya — both; vibhraṣṭaḥ — deviated from; chinna — torn; abhram — cloud; iva — like; naśyati — perishes; apratiṣṭhaḥ — without any position; mahā‑bāho — O mighty‑armed Krishna; vimūḍhaḥ — bewildered; brahmaṇaḥ — of transcendence; pathi — on the path.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Arjuna asks a rhetorical question that underscores the peril of straying from the disciplined practice of yoga. The Sanskrit terms "kaccid" (whether) and "na" (not) set up a negation, implying that a person who "vibhraṣṭaḥ" (deviates) from the path loses both material and spiritual benefits. The metaphor of a "chinna abhram" (torn cloud) vividly illustrates impermanence and lack of stability; clouds, though lofty, are insubstantial and dissolve when torn, symbolizing how a yogi who abandons concentration and devotion becomes transient and ineffective.
The phrase "apratiṣṭhaḥ" (without any position) emphasizes that such a person lacks a firm foothold in any realm—neither in the material world nor in the spiritual. This dual loss is central to the Gita's teaching that true success is measured by inner equilibrium rather than external achievements. By addressing Krishna as "mahā‑bāho" (O mighty‑armed), Arjuna appeals to the divine authority of the Supreme, seeking validation that the path of yoga is indeed the only secure avenue for lasting fulfillment.
The term "vimūḍhaḥ" (bewildered) reflects the confusion that arises when one abandons yoga's disciplined framework. Without the guiding principles of dharma, self‑control, and devotion, the individual drifts aimlessly, unable to discern right from wrong. "Brahmaṇaḥ pathi" (the path of the transcendent) points to the ultimate goal of yoga: union with the divine consciousness. When deviated from, the seeker not only forfeits worldly gains but also jeopardizes moksha, the liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Thus, this verse serves as a warning and a motivational call. It reminds practitioners that consistency in yoga safeguards both worldly prosperity and spiritual liberation. The imagery of a shattered cloud, lacking any anchor, compels the reader to maintain steadfastness, lest they become rootless and ultimately perish, both materially and spiritually. The verse encapsulates the Gita's core message: disciplined devotion is the only path that guarantees enduring success and eternal peace.
