yathÄ hemni sthito vahnir
durvarṇaá¹ hanti dhÄtu-jam
evam Ätma-gato viṣṇur
yoginÄm aÅ›ubhÄÅ›ayam
yathÄ - just as; hemni - in gold; sthitaḥ - situated; vahniḥ - fire; durvarṇam - the discoloration; hanti - destroys; dhÄtu-jam - due to the taint of other metals; evam - in the same way; Ätma-gataḥ - having entered the soul; viṣṇuḥ - Lord Viṣṇu; yoginÄm - of the yogÄ«s; aÅ›ubha-ÄÅ›ayam - the dirty mind.
Just as fire applied to gold removes any discoloration caused by traces of other metals, Lord Viṣṇu within the heart purifies the minds of the yogīs.
Although one may practice the mystic yoga system, his actual spiritual advancement is due to the mercy of the Supreme Lord within the heart; it is not directly the result of his austerity and meditation. If one becomes foolishly proud in the name of yoga, his spiritual position becomes ridiculous.
