जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ॥
Even against his will, he is drawn onward by that earlier practice. Even the seeker of yoga goes beyond the sound of ritual words.
A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Earlier practice keeps pulling you forward, even against resistance.”
Even against his will, he is drawn onward by that earlier practice. Even the seeker of yoga goes beyond the sound of ritual words.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyby earlier practice · by that · indeed · is drawn away · certainly · against his will · even · seeker · even · of yoga
Past practice pulls a person toward yoga even when the person is not fully in control. A sincere seeker also rises beyond ritual words and outer religious forms.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Dhyana Yoga" (The Yoga of Meditation).
Verse 44 sits in Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — Dhyana Yoga, "The Yoga of Meditation". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
After years away from the tabla, you sit at a friend's house and your hands find the old rhythm before you think. Krishna describes that pull: earlier practice draws you back almost on its own.
Did you like this verse?
Old practice pulls the yogi forward even against his will, past the mere sound of ritual words.
What this verse means
Past practice pulls a person toward yoga even when the person is not fully in control. A sincere seeker also rises beyond ritual words and outer religious forms.
Context & commentary
Krishna explains that past practice keeps drawing a fallen yogi back, and even someone who simply wants to know yoga moves beyond ritual-minded action.
What it looks like today
After years away from the tabla, you sit at a friend's house and your hands find the old rhythm before you think. Krishna describes that pull: earlier practice draws you back almost on its own.
“Your deepest practice keeps working even when willpower fades.”
Explore related themes: dhyana (31 verses)