After hearing so much about the meditation yoga (or dhyāna-yoga or aṣṭāṅga-yoga), a question can arise in our heart – “how long is it going to take for a sincere practitioner to attain perfection in yoga?” Lord Krishna gives a straight answer to this question. It would take multiple lifetimes of practice (aneka-janma-saṁsiddhas) for a sincere practitioner (prayatnād yatamānas) of meditation yoga to wash off all internal contaminations (saṁśuddha-kilbiṣaḥ) and reach the ultimate goal (parāṁ gatim). (BG 6.45) Are there any better means to the goal?

One who sees this world as a playground for finding sense gratification at every step is called a fruitive worker (karmi). Such a person is typically not interested in anything spiritual. Higher than a fruitive worker (karmi) is someone who has realized the futility of finding self-centered enjoyment in this world. Such a person voluntarily embraces a path of asceticism. An ascetic (tapasvi) may take to a very austere life, but may not be equipped with adequate knowledge. So, one who is in knowledge (jñāni) is higher than an ascetic (tapasvi). Better than one who has knowledge (jñāni) is one who is trying to connect with the divine through a bona fide process, or a yogī. So, among all the spiritual practitioners, a yogī is considered the highest. (BG 6.46) So, Krishna’s recommendation is to become a yogī. But, what kind of yogī? Meditation yogī?

No, not a meditation yogī. Krishna concludes this chapter by giving His verdict. Among all the yogis, a bhakti yogī (one who connects with Krishna in love and devotion) is considered the highest. Krishna considers one who is internally absorbed in Him (mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā) and faithfully (śraddhāvān) engages in His loving devotional service (bhajate) to be the highest of all yogīs. (BG 6.47)

It is noteworthy that in the various aforementioned paths to divinity (viz., asceticism, knowledge, and meditation yoga), the soul is independently trying to connect with the divinity, and therefore one is dependent on one’s own efforts only for success. On the other hand, in the process of bhakti-yoga, or devotional yoga, one is putting one’s efforts in progressively developing a loving connection with Krishna and therefore is completely dependent on Krishna’s grace for success. Owing to this shining grace alongside one’s sincere efforts, one can become unlimitedly powerful and hence such a yogī is considered to be the highest of all yogīs.