pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva hriyate hy avaśo 'pi saḥ jijñāsur api yogasya śabda-brahmātivartate
"By that previous practice, one is carried forward even helplessly. Even one who merely inquires about yoga transcends the Vedic rituals."
What This Means:
Past practice creates momentum that carries you forward even without conscious effort. And even just being curious about yoga puts you beyond mere ritualism. The pull toward truth is powerful.
Going Deeper:
Purva-abhyasa (previous practice) creates such strong samskaras that one is hriyate (carried) even avasha (helplessly/automatically). Even jijnasu (one who inquires) transcends shabda-brahma (the Vedas as ritual/sound)—sincere questioning already elevates.
How To Apply This:
Trust the pull you feel toward spiritual life—it may be momentum from past practice. And don't underestimate inquiry itself. Even your questions are spiritually significant, moving you beyond mere external religion.
Key Sanskrit Terms: