Bhagavad-Gita: Chapter 6, Verse 42

Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

The destination of one who after a short time has abandoned the practice of yoga or the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness was given in the previous verse. Now Lord Krishna describes the destination of the person who has been practising yoga for a long time and almost perfected it before expiring their life. They are born in families of enlightened yogis and sages, perfecting yoga and in possession of Vedic knowledge which leads to moksa or liberation from the material existence. Birth in this family is more advanced than birth in the families of the previous verse which although virtuous and prosperous had not yet engaged in the process of yoga.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Madhvacarya
There is no commentary for this verse.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

If one somehow or other was diverted and diverged almost at completion from the path of yoga or the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness; then they would be born in a family of enlightened sages or those illuminated within from the perfection of yoga. In both these cases it is extremely rare for one to take birth in either situation but when it does occasionally manifest it is the result of the efficacy of yoga that had been almost perfected in the previous life and was not possible to complete due to expiration of life.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

The destination referred to in the previous verse applies to a person who has deviated after a short time from the practice of yoga or the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness. Now Lord Krishna reveals the destination of that praiseworthy person who has digressed from yoga after having practised it for a long time. A person who has dissipated the strong desires of the senses for sensual pleasures by the knowledge of the Vedic scriptures as taught by the spiritual preceptor and is endowed with qualities like detachment and renunciation; if by fate such a person is deviated from yoga somehow or other such as due to the loss of the spiritual preceptor before one was fully matured, then such a person takes birth in a family of enlightened Brahmins; but not in the family of wealthy Brahmins or royal Vedic kings performing opulent ceremonies because riches and opulence give the opportunity to cause distraction to yoga. Although being born in a royal Vedic family or a wealthy family of Brahmins is extremely difficult to receive due to the requirement of many meritorious deeds; it is not deemed to be more beneficial than taking birth in a family of spiritually enlightened Brahmins wedded to yoga because such a birth is bereft of all possibilities for distraction and digression which obstruct and impede progress towards atma tattva realisation of the soul and moksa or liberation from the material existence.