July Gītā: 6.46

tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī
jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ
karmibhyaśh chādhiko yogī
tasmād yogī bhavārjun

‘A yogi is superior to the tapasvī (ascetic), superior to the jñānī (a person of learning), and even superior to the karmī (ritualistic performer). Therefore, O Arjun, strive to be a yogi.’
Bhagavad Gītā 6.46

Adhika is often translated as ‘superior’ or ‘better’. But in fact it can also mean ‘beyond’, which - in the context of this verse - seems more helpful (and less judgemental). 

Here Krishna is telling Arjuna that the practice of yoga goes above and beyond the practices of asceticism, scholarship and ritualism. The Tapasvi (ascetic), the jnani (scholar) and the karmi (performer of rituals) all perform specific actions with specific motives. Even if their ultimate goal is enlightenment they are likely to be disappointed if they don’t achieve what they want from their actions. We already know that the yogi tries to act without attachment to results (3:25) and tries to live without concepts like ‘success’ or ‘failure’ (2:48). This is why Krishna tells Arjuna to strive to be a yogi (one who practises yoga). We refer to yoga as practice because it is never a performance…it’s something much more rewarding than a performance…it’s something beyond. 

– Tom Norrington-Davies