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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