आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते । योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते ॥
ārurukṣormuneryogaṃ karma kāraṇamucyate | yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva śamaḥ kāraṇamucyate ||
Translation
For the sage who wishes to ascend to yoga, action is said to be the means. For one who has already ascended to yoga, tranquility is said to be the means.
Interpretation
A beautiful progression: two stages of spiritual development, two corresponding means. For the beginner (arurukshu — one who desires to climb), the means is karma — engaged, disciplined, selfless action. This purifies the mind. For the one who has ascended (yogarudha — seated in yoga), the means becomes shama — mental quietude, stillness. Action builds the platform; stillness allows the deeper realization. One should not mistake the means for the goal, nor skip the preparatory stage.