यथासंभवमुद्योगादनुद्विग्नतया स्वया । साधुसङ्गमसच्छास्त्रपरतां प्रथमं श्रयेत् ॥ १७ ॥
yathāsaṁbhavamudyōgādanudvignatayā svayā | sādhusaṅgamasacchāstraparatāṁ prathamaṁ śrayēt || 17 ||
Translation
With effort as far as one can, by one's own freedom from dismay, one should first take refuge in the company of the good and in devotion to true scripture.
Word by word
- yathāsaṁbhavam
- as far as one can
- udyōgād
- (udyogāt) with effort
- anudvignatayā
- by freedom from dismay
- svayā
- one's own
- sādhu
- of the good
- saṅgama
- in the company
- sacchāstra
- in true scripture
- paratāṁ
- devotion
- prathamaṁ
- first
- śrayēt
- one should take refuge
Meaning
Freedom from dismay (anudvignatā), the commentary explains in a note, is giving up the despair that says "this cannot be done". Make the effort one can, without that despair, and turn first to good company and to true scripture. First: before practices and attainments, the right company and the right study.