Saturday, December 17, 2011

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS=Verse.2.38 &2.39 = Benefits of Brahmacharyam & Aparigraha = Great Energy & knowledge of previous Births



PATANJALI
YOGA SUTRAS

Verse.2.38 

brahmacharya pratisthayam
virya labhah

Ø  brahmacharya = 2 meanings ; (i) celibacy in thought, word and deed (ii) practicing the path of the absolute truth or divine
Ø  pratishtaayaam = having firmly established, being well grounded in
Ø  veerya = strength, vigor, vitality, courage
Ø  laabhah = is acquired, attained, gained


We have already examined the importance of Brahmacharya in both of its meanings in Vs.2.30. The sex thought (and word, and deed) makes a Sadhaka go out of one’s own control. This thought passes the control of the Sadhaka’s mind to the persons / person on whom the thought is centred.

The Yoga Sadhaka cannot retain his chittha Vritthi Nirodha when he does not practice Brahmacharya and his mind is riveted on some other person.

The second meaning is not alternative but is additive. Not thinking of Sex is not enough. Sadhaka must practice the path of the absolute truth or Brahman. A lot is written about the Brahmacharya vratham.

In ancient days – one used to be introduced to Brahmacharya vratham as a young Boy, who was placed under a Guru for his studies. Until his studies and certain other formalities are over, he remains a Brahmachari and remains usually in the Ashram of the Guru.

Yogi comes very easily for such a Brahmachari, without any Distraction. Once he attains strong control over his mind, he becomes fit for marriage or Grihasthaasrama.

A note from other puraanas and itihaasaas here will be appropriate. Involving in Dharmic sex with the spouse as a Grihastha after achieving mind-control as Brahmachari - makes it effortless for practicing Yoga even as Grihastha. During Grihstha Aashrama – there is no absolute abstinence from sex but Yoga can be continued easily as Dharmic sex will pose least disturbance to Yoga. Dharmic sex is practiced in a way that it becomes a devotee’s surrender (by both spouses) to the almighty. There are countless examples of Great Rishis practicing Yoga even as Grihasta.

Subsequently in Vaanaprastha and sanyaasa, when the couple goes away to seclusion together and thereafter one of them leaves the earthly body - Brahmacharyam is continued.

When Brahmacharyam is practiced in thought, word and deed, the Sadhaka derives huge benefits of strength and energy – for his Sadhanas. It is a direct benefit for his Yoga Sadhana.

Many do not realize that Sex thought itself is a very big distraction – and consumes a large part of the thinking and emotional time of any Sadhaka – and therefore the sadhaka needs to conserve his thinking and emotional energy by abstaining from such thoughts – and this abstinence also adds hugely to his  physical energy and strength of character. Many commentators also opine that the Yogi who is well established in Brahmacharya – gains tremendous attraction and control over other human beings.

Verse.2.39 

aparigraha sthairye
janma kathaanta sambodhah

Ø  aparigraha = Being non-greedy / non-acquisitive;non-attachment to Possessions
Ø  sthairye = in such stability
Ø  janma = birth
Ø  kathaanta = wherefrom and whereto
Ø  sambodhah = gaining knowledge


When a Sadhaka refuses to keep possessions beyond absolute need, does not receive any thing from any one without paying him its proper value and remains unattached to any possessions absolutely needed for day-to-day needs – in other words, when he practices aparigraha steadfastly – he gains knowledge of his  various previous births, where he was born and how he lived and died in such earlier births.

We may not be able to talk of future births, though. Because, Yogi’s aim is to burn away all future births and come out of the birth-death cycle.

The very knowledge of his previous Births makes him more stead fast as Yoga Sadhaka, as he knows now the ephemeral nature of the body-mind complex completely.


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