एकाग्रताथ सङ्कल्पः स्नायुवद् वर्द्धनक्षमौ। नित्याभ्यासप्रयोगाभ्याम् अधिकाधिकमृध्यतः॥
ekāgratātha saṅkalpaḥ snāyuvad varddhanakṣamau । nityābhyāsaprayogābhyām adhikādhikamṛdhyataḥ ॥
Meaning of Ekāgratātha Saṅkalpaḥ Snāyuvad
Focus and willpower are like our nervous system. They can be developed and strengthened through regular practice and the right efforts. Over time, both become stronger and more effective.
Word by word
- एकाग्रताekāgratā
one-pointedness
एक + अग्र
- अथatha
and
- सङ्कल्पःsaṅkalpaḥ
resolve
सम् + √कॢप्
- स्नायुवत्snāyuvat
like a sinew
स्नायु
- वर्द्धनक्षमौvarddhanakṣamau
both capable of being strengthened
√वृध् + √क्षम्
- नित्याभ्यासप्रयोगाभ्याम्nityābhyāsaprayogābhyām
by constant practice and application
नित्य + अभि + √अस् + प्र + √युज्
- अधिकाधिकम्adhikādhikam
more and more
अधिक
- ऋध्यतःṛdhyataḥ
the two grow
√ऋध्
Commentary
This verse treats concentration and resolve not as fixed gifts, but as capacities that can be trained. The comparison with snāyu, sinew or muscle, makes the idea tangible: strength develops when it is exercised repeatedly rather than merely admired or desired. Nityābhyāsa points to regular practice, while prayoga adds purposeful application, suggesting that repetition becomes fruitful when it is directed toward real action. The pair of focus and determination therefore grows adhikādhikam, more and more, through disciplined use. The teaching is encouraging because it places improvement within reach: one need not begin with perfect attention or unshakable willpower. What matters is returning to the practice, applying one's resolve in the right direction, and allowing steady effort to build greater capability over time.
Original Post
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View source pageउद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
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Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
एको धर्मः परं श्रेयः क्षमैका शान्तिरुत्तमा। विद्यैका परमा तृप्तिरहिंसैका सुखावहा॥
eko dharmaḥ paraṁ śreyaḥ kṣamaikā śāntir uttamā । vidyaikā paramā tṛptir ahiṁsaikā sukhāvahā ॥
A verse from Vidura Niti in the Mahabharata that pairs four virtues with what each one alone can give: dharma brings the highest good, forgiveness the finest peace, knowledge true contentment, and non-violence lasting happiness.
अद्वैधमनसं युक्तं शूरं धीरं विपश्चितम्। न श्रीः सन्त्यजते नित्यमादित्यमिव रश्मयः॥
advaidhamanasaṃ yuktaṃ śūraṃ dhīraṃ vipaścitam । na śrīḥ santyajate nityam ādityamiva raśmayaḥ ॥
The Mahabharata likens lasting prosperity to the sun's inseparable rays: it remains with one who is focused, courageous, steadfast and discerning.
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Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.
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Bhartrhari recalls the churning of the ocean to show that resolute people neither settle for partial gains nor abandon their aim when danger appears.
उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
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Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.