षड्वर्गसंयमैकान्ता: सर्वा नियमचोदना: । तदन्ता यदि नो योगानावहेयु: श्रमावहा: ॥ २८ ॥
sad-varga-samyamaikantah sarva niyama-codanah tad-anta yadi no yogan avaheyuh sramavahah
- sat-varga
- the six elements, namely the five working senses and the mind
- samyama-ekantah
- the ultimate aim of subjugating
- sarvah
- all such activities
- niyama-codanah
- the regulative principles further meant for controlling the senses and mind
- tat-antah
- the ultimate goal of such activities
- yadi
- if
- no
- not
- yogan
- the positive link with the Supreme
- avaheyuh
- did lead to
- srama-avahah
- a waste of time and labor
Ritualistic ceremonies, regulative principles, austerities and the practice of yoga are all meant to control the senses and mind, but even after one is able to control the senses and mind, if he does not come to the point of meditation upon the Supreme Lord, all such activities are simply labor in frustration.