PatanjalYoga Sutras -II

 

 

In the previous article the contents of the first chapter of PatanjalYoga Sutras named Samadhi Pada were summarised and different psychosomatic practices were discussed for calming down the racing mind. The second chapter is called the Sadhana Pada or the chapter dealing with different methods and means to elevate human consciousness. The chapter has fifty five Sutras or aphorisms. The chapter begins with the description of KriyaYoga. Kriya Yoga is the central spiritual practice found in varied forms in all types of Yogic traditions. According to Patanjali, Kriya Yoga consists of penance, self study or reflections and surrender to the Supreme (Sutra 2:1).

 

It is a very comprehensive code of spiritual conduct comprising all the three traditional methods of Karma, Jnana and Bhakti. Penance indicates KarmaYoga. Self-reflections are the core principles of JnanaYoga and surrender to the Almighty is the soul of BhaktiYoga. KriyaYoga leads to the purest state of consciousness by minimising all afflictions (Sutra 2:2). Patanjali has enumerated five types of afflictions, ignorance, ego, attachment, jealousy and self indulgence (2:3). These afflictions are hurdles on the path of self realisation. Meditation is a very powerful tool to calm down these afflictions (Sutra 2:11). Patanjali advocates the importance of discriminative knowledge to tide over these afflictions (Sutra 2:26). The regular practice of the eight limbs of Yoga leads to the dissipation of impurities and rise of the discriminative knowledge (Sutra 2:28). These eight limbs are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi (Sutra 2:29). Yama is the social code of conduct and consists of truth, non violence, non stealing, continence and non hoarding (Sutra 2:30). Niyama is the personal observation and are five in number, purity, contentment, penance, self study and surrender to the Almighty (Sutra 2:32).

 

Asana is a posture which is stable and comfortable (Sutra 2:46). Pranayama is the mastery over breath(2:49). Pratyahara is the capacity to withdraw sense organs from the subjects of self indulgence (Sutra 2: 54). Dharana is the concentration (Sutra 3:1). Dhyana is meditation (Sutra3:2). Samadhi is the purest state of consciousness (3:3). The three subsequent limbs named Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi have been included in the beginning of the third chapter. The second chapter of PatanjalYoga Sutras is a very scientific and methodical enunciation of the different practices and tools to soothe the mind and reach the highest level of consciousness. Here also we find many somatic as well as psychological exercises prescribed to calm down the mental waves. Studies have found that the practices of Asana, Pranayamas and meditation have great therapeutic impact upon the body and mind. The Integrative Method of medicine has included theseYogic practices in their methodology. Independent research in neuroscience has also validated these positive findings. TheseYogic methods are being widely used in the successful management of stress and other anxiety related issues. it has been found that theseYoga practices have been adopted in a big way in many countries for the correctional purposes of prisoners also.

 

■ (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra)