śruti-vipratipannā te yadā sthāsyati niścalā samādhāv acalā buddhis tadā yogam avāpsyasi
"When your intellect, now bewildered by conflicting teachings, becomes steady and immovable in meditation, then you will attain yoga."
What This Means:
Right now your mind is confused by different teachings that seem to contradict each other. When that mind becomes rock-steady, unshaken even in deep meditation—that's when you truly achieve yoga. Not temporary focus, but unshakeable stability.
Going Deeper:
The phrase 'shruti-vipratipanna' (confused by scriptures) acknowledges that teachings can bewilder seekers. Different texts say different things. But when the intellect becomes 'nischala' (unmoving) and 'achala' (immovable) in samadhi, these apparent contradictions resolve. The still mind perceives the unity behind diverse teachings.
How To Apply This:
Don't be frustrated when spiritual teachings seem contradictory. This confusion is part of the journey. Keep practicing. As your mind stabilizes through meditation and contemplation, the apparent contradictions will resolve themselves. You'll see how different teachings point to the same truth from different angles.
Key Sanskrit Terms: