Patanjali Yoga Sutra Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.
Chapter 1, Sutra 28
Taj Japas Tad Artha Bhavanam
Tat : its
Japa : repeated remembrance
Tad : its
Artha : meaning
Bhavanam : understanding with feeling, dwelling upon
(By) Its repetition and the reflection on its meaning, the Citta becomes one-pointed.
Listen to the audio:
“The idea is the connection between the word and the meaning. We are generally ignorant. Children learn it. We have to connect the word, the meaning, then the understanding comes. As it is, we may use some words, but we don’t have clear ideas. So it is a very simple statement. The difficulty with us is that we can’t hold our attention. We hurriedly go over things, only half understand and the knowledge is poor. In case of the yogic kind of person, he goes through slowly, with his full mind and understands. This leads to unusual capacities. It is a very simple statement – repetition of sound, Japa and remembering the meaning. The sound has a meaning and if it is repeated it sinks into the mind, brain . But it has to done regularly and with feelings. Unfortunately we are not able to do. Not only the sound, but the meaning. These things have to be done personally for long and then they enter into our personality. We are doing it in a very haphazard way and so very little result is found. We are talking about something which is there, a sound and sound affects the mind. We are trying to learn to influence the mind.”
“The word Pranava has to be used as a mantra. Japa – go on repeating – it has to go into our system. The whole mind should get tuned with this word ‘Om’. Japa could be done externally as well as internally. When you are doing externally you are concentrating on sound and sound is a very strong medium of concentration. In our country, Japa is done collectively. People come together and they repeat the word, repeat the sentence. In religion also variety of sentences are repeated like Om Namah Sivay; Hare Rama, Hare Rama ……; Om Namoh Bhagwate Vasudevay etc. These sentences people go on repeating and that is called Japa. The Japa could be done very mechanically .One should keep the meaning, Artha, in the mind and Bhava- total surrender. All that has to come. Just repeating the name will not help. It is not a medium of entertainment. When people come together, they enjoy, clap, dance and its more like an entertainment. Yoga Sutras say it’s a very serious affair – serious means surrender – it should bring humility, relaxedness, well being , sense of belonging to something which is higher – such feelings should come. One gets engrossed in to that. Within yourself, with eyes closed one goes on repeating. But one does not depend on sound. Later on Japa has to be done internally and the person’s mind should always be with this word ‘Om’ while doing any activity.”
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About Parisamvad
On every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, The Yoga Institute, Santacruz holds Parisamvad sessions – Free interactive sessions that are open to all. These session begin at 7:20 am and end around 7:45 am.
The Friday Parisamvad is dedicated to explanation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by our esteemed Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji.
All are welcome to attend.
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