Śivasaṃhitā 1.16

The teaching of yoga transcends mere intellectual exchange. Those who seek to argue and contradict are not prepared to receive its profound wisdom. The truth of yoga is revealed only to the serene and receptive mind, not to the combative mind that seeks to win rather than understand.

The term vivādāśīlānāṁ denotes those whose nature is oriented toward debate and contradiction. In Sanskrit, vivāda means dispute or controversy, while āśīla indicates disposition or character. This combination describes a mentality that prioritizes dialectical victory over true spiritual understanding.

This principle reflects an ancient understanding that spiritual truth cannot be transmitted through argumentation. Yogic texts recognize that certain truths require specific internal preparation and cannot be imposed through the force of logical reasoning.