This statement from the Patanjali Yoga Sutras is a very significant one and is often quoted by our teachers who are teaching us either Sanskrit Vyakarana or Yoga Shastra or even Vedanta. The statement of Patanjali is:
स तु दीर्घकाल-नैरन्तर्य-सत्कार-आसेवितो दृढभूमिः
The Bhashya and Vivarana of Adi Shankara emphasize the meaning of this statement.
For practice to make us perfect, it has to be:
- dīrgha kāla, for a long duration
- nairantarya, without interruption, without breaks
- satkāra, with devotion
- āsevito, when practised
In other words, for my practice to take effect and make me a better exponent, I have to be engaged in it for a long time, without breaks, with devotion, and with the singular purpose of achieving my growth. It will then establish a firm foundation for my future growth.
