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 ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ଯୋଗମାର୍ଗର ଆଶ୍ରୟ ନେଇ କେବଳ କେହି ବିରଳ ଦ୍ୱିଜ ହିଁ ତାହାରେ ଚାଲିପାରେ; ଏବଂ ଚାଲିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ମାର୍ଗରୁ କ୍ଷେମରେ ନିବୃତ୍ତ ହୋଇପାରେ। କାରଣ ଏହି ପଥ ଅନେକ ଦୋଷ—ଅନେକ କଷ୍ଟ ଓ ବିପଦ—ରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବୋଲି ସ୍ମରଣ କରାଯାଏ।
भीष्म उवाच
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.