ārurukṣor muner yogaṁ karma kāraṇam ucyate yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva śamaḥ kāraṇam ucyate
"For a sage aspiring to yoga, action is said to be the means. For one who has attained yoga, tranquility is said to be the means."
What This Means:
There are two stages. First, when you're climbing toward yoga, action and effort are essential. Once you've reached the summit, peaceful stillness maintains your state. Different stages require different approaches.
Going Deeper:
This describes the natural progression. Initially, we need active practice—discipline, effort, karma yoga. But once established in yoga, the emphasis shifts to maintaining that state through inner peace (shama). The climber needs different skills than one who has reached the peak.
How To Apply This:
Don't try to skip stages. If you're a beginner, embrace active practice—don't pretend you're already enlightened. If you're advanced, don't keep struggling when it's time to rest in stillness. Know your stage and act accordingly.
Key Sanskrit Terms: