pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva hriyate hyavaśho ’pi saḥ
jijñāsur api yogasya śhabda-brahmātivartate
pūrva — past;
abhyāsena — discipline;
tena — by that;
eva — certainly;
hriyate — is attracted;
hi — surely;
avaśhaḥ — helplessly;
api — although;
saḥ — that person;
jijñāsuḥ — inquisitive;
api — even;
yogasya — about yog;
śhabda-brahma — fruitive portion of the Vedas;
ativartate — transcends
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita explains that those who have practiced yoga or spiritual discipline in their past lives are naturally drawn to its principles in this life, even if they don’t actively look for it. Think of it as having a strong, instinctive pull towards something that feels right or familiar.
Imagine someone who has spent years learning music in a past life. Now, in this life, even if they haven’t consciously trained, they might find themselves instinctively picking up instruments or singing very well. This attraction to yoga comes from the 'divine consciousness' they developed before—kind of like having a life-long passion that surfaces without effort.
When the verse talks about an 'inquisitive transcendentalist', it refers to a person who seeks deeper understanding about life and the universe. This person isn’t just following traditional rituals from the scriptures blindly; they are genuinely curious about the nature of reality and how to achieve a higher state of consciousness, often referred to as Krsna consciousness in this context.
Advanced yogis tend to move beyond the rigid rituals of scriptures. They focus instead on the spiritual principles that help them connect with the divine, leading to true happiness and tranquility. Think of it as someone who practices a sport—they might start with strict training routines (like rituals), but as they become more skilled, they focus on what truly helps them perform better rather than just following a set schedule.
The example of Thakur Haridasa illustrates this point well. He was recognized by Lord Caitanya, a revered teacher, despite being born in a different religion (a Muslim family). His dedication to chanting the holy names of God made him a significant disciple. This shows that dedication and sincerity in spiritual practice are more important than the cultural or ritualistic background one comes from. Just like someone who might not have the same background or training in a field but, with practice and dedication, rises to greatness, Haridasa’s efforts brought him recognition because he truly engaged in the essence of spiritual practice: chanting and devotion.
So, the main takeaway here is that when you purify your heart and mind through consistent spiritual practice—like chanting or meditation—you naturally attract more of that positivity and deeper understanding in your life. This attraction helps you move away from rigid rituals that do not connect you to the spirit, and push you towards genuine practices that foster real growth and connection with a higher power.