Dvādaśa-prakaraṇam (Kuṇḍalinī) · Verse 11
गार्ग्युवाच - भगवन् योगिनां श्रेष्ठ कथं जीवेत् स योगवित् । लोकेऽस्मिन् किं चरेद्वै स तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥
gārgyuvāca - bhagavanyogināṃ śreṣṭha kathaṃ jīvet sa yogavit | loke'smin kiṃ caredvai sa tanme vyākhyātumarhasi ||
Gārgī’s opening inquiry, articulated through the Sanskrit term yogavit – ‘the knower of yoga’ – immediately frames the text within a hierarchical understanding of yogic attainment. He approaches the teacher, identified as the ‘Lord’ of yogīs, seeking a practical guide to navigating the complexities of worldly existence. The question, “How should the knower of yoga live? What should he do in this world?” reveals a recognition that yoga is not merely an introspective practice, but one that demands a conscious and deliberate engagement with the material world. The request for explanation – “You are worthy to explain that to me” – underscores the student’s humility and acknowledges the teacher’s superior understanding gained through sustained sādhanā. This establishes a framework where ethical conduct and skillful action are not obstacles to yoga, but rather are integrated components of a holistic approach, informed by profound experiential knowledge. The very act of posing the question demonstrates a commitment to living a life that is both spiritually refined and socially responsible, a key tenet of the yogic tradition.