yatanto yoginaś cainaṁ paśyanty ātmany avasthitam yatanto 'py akṛtātmāno nainaṁ paśyanty acetasaḥ
"Striving yogis also see this Self established in themselves; but the unprepared, whose minds are not refined, do not see it even though striving."
What This Means:
Yogis who sincerely strive see the Self dwelling within them. But those who haven't prepared their minds—even if they try—cannot perceive it. Preparation matters.
Going Deeper:
'Yatantaḥ yoginaḥ'—striving yogis. 'Paśyanti ātmani avasthitam'—see it established in the self. Effort plus qualification yields vision. 'Yatantaḥ api akṛtātmānaḥ'—even striving but with unprepared selves. 'Acetasaḥ'—unintelligent, unreflective. 'Na enam paśyanti'—don't see it. Mere effort without inner purification fails. The inner vessel must be prepared to receive.
How To Apply This:
Spiritual practice without ethical foundation and mental purification is like trying to fill a cracked pot. Work on character, study, and mental discipline alongside meditation. The whole package matters.
Key Sanskrit Terms: