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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 38 Meaning in Hindi & English

By Lakshay Sharma | On 25 June, 2026 | Views

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 38 continues Arjuna's heartfelt inquiry about the fate of a spiritual seeker who fails to attain perfection in Yoga. In the previous verse (6.37), Arjuna asked what happens to a sincere person who begins the path of Yoga with faith but becomes distracted before reaching the goal.

Now, in Verse 38, Arjuna expands his concern. He wonders whether such a person loses both spiritual and worldly success and becomes like a fragmented cloud drifting aimlessly in the sky.

This verse reflects one of humanity's deepest fears: the fear that our efforts may ultimately amount to nothing. Arjuna is concerned that an unsuccessful yogi may not achieve worldly fulfillment because of spiritual pursuits, yet may also fail to attain spiritual perfection.

Krishna's response in the following verses offers profound reassurance and one of the most encouraging teachings in the Bhagavad Gita.

Bhagavad Gita 6.38 – Is the Unsuccessful Yogi Lost Like a Broken Cloud?

Arjuna asks:

What happens to someone who fails in Yoga?
Does such a person lose both spiritual and worldly achievements?
Is sincere effort wasted if the goal is not reached?
Does an unsuccessful seeker become directionless?
Can spiritual failure lead to complete loss?
Is there hope for those who fall short?

The essence of this verse is Arjuna's fear that an incomplete spiritual journey may leave a person deprived of success in both worlds.

Bhagavad Gita 6.38 – Sanskrit Shlok & Transliteration

Sanskrit Shlok

कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टः छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति । अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि ॥ ३८ ॥

Shlok in Hinglish

Kachchin Nobhaya-Vibhrashtah Chhinnabhram Iva Nashyati Apratishtho Mahabaho Vimudho Brahmanah Pathi

English Transliteration

kaccin nobhaya-vibhraṣṭaḥ chinnābhram iva naśyati apratiṣṭho mahā-bāho vimūḍho brahmaṇaḥ pathi

Word-by-Word Meaning (शब्दार्थ)

Sanskrit Word	Hindi Meaning	English Meaning
कच्चित् (Kachchit)	क्या	Whether
न (Na)	नहीं	Not
उभय (Ubhaya)	दोनों	Both
विभ्रष्टः (Vibhrashtah)	भ्रष्ट / वंचित	Deprived
छिन्न (Chhinna)	टूटा हुआ	Broken
अभ्रम् (Abhram)	बादल	Cloud
इव (Iva)	समान	Like
नश्यति (Nashyati)	नष्ट हो जाता है	Perishes
अप्रतिष्ठः (Apratishthah)	आधारहीन	Without support
महाबाहो (Mahabaho)	हे महाबाहु	O mighty-armed one
विमूढः (Vimudhah)	भ्रमित	Confused
ब्रह्मणः (Brahmanah)	ब्रह्म के	Of spiritual realization
पथि (Pathi)	मार्ग पर	On the path

Verse Meaning (अनुवाद)

Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अनुवाद)

हे महाबाहु कृष्ण! क्या ऐसा व्यक्ति, जो योग की पूर्ण सिद्धि प्राप्त नहीं कर पाया, दोनों ओर से वंचित होकर ब्रह्मज्ञान के मार्ग में भ्रमित और आधारहीन होकर टूटे हुए बादल की तरह नष्ट हो जाता है?

English Meaning

O mighty-armed Krishna, does a person who fails to attain perfection in Yoga become deprived of both worldly and spiritual success, perishing like a fragmented cloud, confused and without support on the path to spiritual realization?

Deep Insights & Philosophical Context

1. Arjuna's Deepest Fear

Arjuna now expresses the full extent of his concern.

He worries that a seeker may:

Leave behind worldly ambitions.
Fail to attain spiritual perfection.
End up with neither success nor fulfillment.

This fear is common among spiritual aspirants even today.

2. The Meaning of "Ubhaya-Vibhrashtah"

The phrase:

"Ubhaya-Vibhrashtah"

means:

"One who has fallen away from both."

Arjuna fears that the unsuccessful yogi may lose:

Worldly Success

because of spiritual pursuits.

Spiritual Success

because of incomplete realization.

This creates a sense of uncertainty and insecurity.

3. The Powerful Metaphor of the Broken Cloud

Arjuna uses the phrase:

"Chhinnabhram Iva"

meaning:

"Like a fragmented cloud."

Imagine a cloud separated from the main formation:

It drifts alone.
It loses direction.
It eventually disappears.

Arjuna fears that an unsuccessful yogi may suffer a similar fate.

This metaphor beautifully captures the fear of being lost and unsupported.

4. The Fear of Wasted Effort

Many people avoid difficult goals because they fear failure.

They wonder:

What if my sacrifices are wasted?
What if I never succeed?
What if all my effort leads nowhere?

Arjuna is asking the same question regarding spiritual growth.

5. Spiritual Uncertainty and Human Anxiety

This verse highlights a universal human concern:

The fear of uncertainty.

People often seek guarantees before committing to a path.

Arjuna wants reassurance that spiritual effort has lasting value.

6. Preparing for Krishna's Reassuring Answer

This verse sets the stage for one of Krishna's most compassionate teachings.

In the next verses, Krishna will explain:

Spiritual progress is never lost.
Sincere effort always produces results.
Divine justice preserves spiritual growth.
No seeker is ever abandoned.

These teachings bring hope to every spiritual aspirant.

Life Lessons from Bhagavad Gita 6.38

1. Fear of Failure Is Natural

Even Arjuna experienced uncertainty.

Modern Takeaway:

Do not let fear prevent you from pursuing meaningful goals.

2. Every Effort Has Value

Growth often occurs even when results are not immediately visible.

Modern Takeaway:

Trust the process rather than obsessing over outcomes.

3. Courage Requires Faith

Important journeys involve uncertainty.

Modern Takeaway:

Take action despite not having all the answers.

4. Ask Honest Questions

Spiritual growth welcomes inquiry.

Modern Takeaway:

Seek clarity instead of hiding your doubts.

Modern-Day Relevance

Bhagavad Gita 6.38 speaks directly to modern fears.

People worry about:

Career changes
Business ventures
Education
Relationships
Personal development
Spiritual practice

Common questions include:

What if I fail?
What if my sacrifices are wasted?
What if I lose what I already have?

Arjuna's concern remains timeless.

This verse reminds us that uncertainty is a natural part of every significant journey.

Practical Example

Imagine someone leaving a comfortable job to pursue a meaningful dream.

They may wonder:

What if the new path fails?
What if I lose financial stability?
What if I never achieve success?

This fear mirrors Arjuna's question.

The concern is not merely failure but losing both the old and the new.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 What is the main teaching of Bhagavad Gita 6.38?

Ans: Arjuna asks whether a person who fails to attain perfection in Yoga loses both worldly and spiritual success, becoming like a fragmented cloud.

Q.2 What does "Ubhaya-Vibhrashtah" mean?

Ans: It refers to someone who appears to have lost both worldly achievements and spiritual attainment.

Q.3 Why does Arjuna compare the yogi to a broken cloud?

Ans: The metaphor illustrates the fear of becoming directionless, unsupported, and unsuccessful.

Q.4 Is Arjuna doubting Yoga?

Ans: No. He seeks reassurance about the fate of sincere seekers who do not achieve perfection.

Q.5 How does this verse help modern readers?

Ans: It addresses the universal fear of failure and uncertainty while encouraging faith in the value of sincere effort.

Practical Applications of Bhagavad Gita 6.38

Face Your Fears Honestly

Acknowledge uncertainty rather than avoiding it.

Continue Despite Doubts

Meaningful growth often requires courage.

Trust the Process

Progress is not always immediately visible.

Focus on Effort

Results often emerge over time.

Ask Yourself

Do I fear failure more than I value growth?
What meaningful goal am I avoiding?
Am I willing to trust the process?
How can I act despite uncertainty?

Related Verses to Explore Next

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 37 – Arjuna's question about the unsuccessful yogi.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 39 – Arjuna seeks final clarification.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 40 – Krishna reassures the seeker.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 40 – No effort on the spiritual path is ever lost.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 66 – Divine protection and surrender.

Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 38 presents one of Arjuna's deepest concerns.

He wonders whether a sincere spiritual seeker who fails to attain perfection loses both worldly and spiritual success, becoming like a fragmented cloud drifting without direction.

This question reflects a universal human fear—the fear that effort may be wasted and sacrifice may lead nowhere.

Through this inquiry, Arjuna prepares the way for Krishna's reassuring answer, which will reveal that sincere spiritual effort is never lost and that every step taken toward truth has lasting value.

The timeless lesson of this verse is:

"Do not fear sincere effort, for no meaningful step toward growth is ever truly wasted."

Harishyam Arts

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Lakshay Sharma

I’m Lakshay Sharma, a writer with a deep passion for Hindu mythology, Vastu Shastra, and home interiors. I enjoy exploring the rich traditions of Hindu gods and goddesses, sharing insights into Vastu principles, and offering guidance on creating sacred spaces like Puja Mandirs. Through my writing, I aim to inspire harmony and spiritual well-being, blending traditional knowledge with modern perspectives.

Harishyam Arts | Jaipur

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