Shloka 53
Saṃhāra-krama (The Sequence of Cosmic Dissolution) — Yājñavalkya’s Discourse
योगमार्ग तथा55साद्य यः वक्रिद् व्रजते द्विज: । क्षेमेणोपरमेन्मार्गाद् बहुदोषो हि स स्मृतः
yogamārgaṃ tathā sādya yaḥ kaścid vrajate dvijaḥ | kṣemeṇoparamet mārgād bahudoṣo hi sa smṛtaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ayant embrassé la voie du Yoga, seul quelque “deux-fois-né” rare peut y avancer ; et même alors, il peut s’en retirer sain et sauf. Car cette voie est tenue en mémoire comme étant pleine de nombreux défauts—de nombreuses épreuves et de nombreux périls.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The yogic path is exceptionally demanding and perilous in practice; only a rare, well-qualified person can follow it successfully. The verse cautions against casual or premature adoption of Yoga without preparedness, emphasizing discernment and steadiness.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma continues a didactic discussion on dharma and spiritual disciplines, warning that the yogic route—though exalted—is difficult to traverse and is traditionally described as beset with many obstacles.