PATANJALI
YOGA SUTRAS
POST-28 –VERSE 1.33
CHAPTER.1 : SAMAADHI PAADHA
So far –we have seen the Obstacles to Yoga and how to get over them. Are there any things / practices which help in the practice of Yog, in steadying the mind?
That comes in verse.33
APHORISM.33
maithri karunaa muditha
upekshaanaam sukha duhkha
punya apunya vishayaanaam
bhaavanaathah chittha prasaadanam
Ø maithri = friendliness
Ø karunaa = compassion
Ø muditha = gladness
Ø upekshaanaam = indifference, neutrality
Ø sukha = happiness
Ø duhkha = sorrow, suffering
Ø punya = virtuous acts
Ø apunya = non-virtuous, evil acts
Ø vishayanam = in respect of these things
Ø bhaavanaathah = by constant reflection or thinking
Ø chittha = mind
Ø prasaadhanam = becomes pacified and peaceful,
There are four ways - in which we must regulate our attitude and behavior.
(1) Towards people who are basically happy - we must maintain friendliness. These people are good, compassionate, virtuous people.
It does not mean we need to go to all of them and seek their specific friendship. This is not possible towards all people in the world. Our feeling inside us should be friendliness towards the happy people.
This also makes us avoid – Jealousy towards such people and thereby keep our own mind peaceful and happy.
Also, we avoid abusing them in Jealousy and doing some sins when we feel happiness in their happiness.
It also improves our health, our selflessness and many divine qualities.
(2) Towards those in distress and sorrow – we must have compassion. Here feeling of friendship is of no help to us or to them.
Again – a Sadhaka cannot go to every distressed person and express compassion. It is what we must feel. What we actually do – depends on our time, opportunity etc. Generally – we pray for them – invariably.
Some popular prayers are – “Lokaah samasthaah sukhinobhavanthu’, “sarve Janah sukhino Bhavanthu”. These are specifically prescribed by Upanishads.
Looking at those in distress – it is not expected that we also become distressed. This is called “anujwaram”. When our neighbor gets a disease, suppose, in sympathy, we also get that disease – it is not going to help either our neighbor or us. We must feel compassion – and in that compassion, we either pray for them or do some help to relieve their distress.
Scriptures prescribe 5 types of selfless actions or help called “Pancha Maha Yajna” which are expected to be done by every person every day.
The distressed man may have committed some bad things too towards us. But by compassion – we avoid “hatred, enmity and revenge” towards them.
Also, by compassion –we are putting a stop to small, small things of no long term consequence – and become free to concentrate on Yoga, which is our goal.
(3) Towards those who are virtuous : We must be joyful and happy with those who are virtuous. We must appreciate and applaud them. We must emulate them also. Are we first of all noticing the good deeds of good people?
Many people are always involved in performing virtuous, helpful deeds to others – what we called as “Pancha Maha Yajnas”.
Thereby, we avoid Jealousy and negative feelings towards the good people, or imputing motives to them. We also thereby give him encouragement to the good people to increase their good deeds.
We also feel like performing such good actions.
(4) Towards those who are wicked and Evil : We must be indifferent to the evil and wicked persons.
Some people are not doing any Good deeds. They may not be doing Bad deeds. Be away from them. Be indifferent to them. Don’t hate them. Don’t abuse them. Don’t allow them –to occupy your mind always! This is what our attitude towards “apunya” should be.
Apunya – also implies committing bad deeds, wicked deeds or evil deeds. Some people are prone to commit such deeds. If you are a Yoga Sadhaka – keep far away from them – so that they cannot harm you and they do not occupy your mind always. If they do – your Yoga Sadhana is doomed to failure. That was why – in ancient days – Yogis preferred deep Jungles for Yoga Sadhana. Some solitariness is needed for Yoga Sadhana.
Punishing wicked people – is not for the Yoga Sadhaka. It is for the King, his army and his law and order machinery. For them – it is “PUNYA” or Good deeds to punish the wicked.
If the Yoga Sadhaka understands his duty towards different types of people and actions – his sadhana will continue uninterrupted. His mind becomes peaceful. He can march towards success in Yoga.
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