Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 9

जाति देश काल व्यवहितानामप्यान्तर्यां स्मृतिसंस्कारयोः एकरूपत्वात् ॥९॥

jāti-deṣa-kāla-vyavahitānām-api-ānantaryaṃ smṛti-saṃskārayoḥ eka-rūpatvāt ||9||

Even though separated by existence, place and time,
there is a succession because memory and tendencies
are of one character.

jāti - the form of existence, existence; birth, production; re-birth; position assigned by birth, rank, caste, family, race, lineage; genusdeśa - place, point, region, spotkāla - time, a period of time; season, the proper time or season forvyavahita - concealedapi - even, also, although; very; something more; moreoverānantarya - successionsmṛti - remembrance; memory; mindfulness; the whole body of sacred tradition or what is remembered by human teachers and constantly revisedsaṃskāra - tendencies, psychological imprint, mental impression, habitual potency; making ready, preparation; a sacred or sanctifying ceremonyeka - onerūpatvā - character
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Commentaries and Reflections

Commentary by TKV Desikachar:

“Saṃskāra is so powerful,
it can lead you to act without thinking.”

“We can have two opposite Saṃskāra,
but only one can act at any one time.”

Commentary by Paul Harvey:

“Saṃskāra always looks
to our past experiences
to determine our choices
for our future actions.”