Dvitīya-prakaraṇam (Niyama) · Verse 11

तस्मिन्भवति या लज्जा ह्रीस्तु सैवेति कीर्तिता । विहितेषु च सर्वेषु श्रद्धा या सा मतिर्भवेत् ॥

tasminbhavati yā lajjā hrīstu saiveti kīrtitā | vihiteṣu ca sarveṣu śraddhā yā sā matirbhavet ||

The verse delineates two distinct qualities arising from the practice of sāva (ritual service), qualities intrinsically linked to the yogī’s state. Hri, translated here as ‘shame’, represents a profound awareness of imperfection within the service, a recognition of the limitations inherent in all human endeavor – a humility born of sincere effort. Simultaneously, shraddha, signifying ‘faith’ or ‘trust’, denotes the unwavering commitment to fulfilling the prescribed duties, a steadfast belief in the efficacy of the ritual itself. The conjunction of these two – shame and faith – indicates a refined and deeply engaged practice, one where the yogī approaches even the most mundane tasks with both critical self-awareness and devotional conviction. This nuanced understanding anticipates the later emphasis within haṭha yoga on both disciplined action and the cultivation of inner stillness; the shraddha here prepares the ground for the stilling of the prāṇa that is so crucial to subsequent stages.