Patanjali Yoga Sutra Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.
Chapter 1, Sutra 18
Virama – Pratyaya – Abhyasa – Purvah – Samskara – Sesah – Anyah
Asamaprajnata Samadhi Is The Other Kind Of Samadhi Which Arises Through Constant Practice Of Para-Vairagya Which Brings About The Disappearance Of All Fluctuations Of The Mind Wherein Only The Latent Impressions Remain.
Virama : cessation
Prataya : cause
Abhyasa : practice
Samskara : deep impressions ; the unconscious , deepest habits
Seso : residual , subliminal
Anya : the other (the other Samadhi)
“We are talking about Vairagya. We understand it in its ordinary sense – not feeling terribly interested in something. That’s a disinterest for us. But it is much more than that. Not only the actions and activities stop, it has to be a continuous effort all the time. Even the impressions, the secret wishes have to go. Only slight tendencies remain, which also are on decline. It is a thorough job. That is what the Yogis have to do. In the higher states of Samadhi. There are no inclinations, no desires, totally free of all these tendencies. We should not claim that our mind can be withdrawn so thoroughly. The interests are there, desires are there. Attempts also are there, but it may be just a beginning. It has to continue, continue all the time. We can’t manage it all the time. One of the reasons is that we have not decided on practicing yoga. We are just trying to get a little brush, know-how and that means nothing.
Here the teaching is such that if you begin, begin sincerely. When the Founder went to a remote area on the Narmada river from a college and career, the teacher did not teach anything for 6 months. He was just watching. At the end of 6 months, the Founder asked the teacher, ‘Do I learn something?’ The teacher said,, ‘Oh I remember, let us start.’ He taught him Sukhasana and asked him to continue and he continued. After 3 hours, the student was still continuing. The teacher came in and told him to stop. That is the kind of learning. We cannot imagine that. Every minute we have been told to do Sukhasana, we open the eyes to see where the teacher is. We don’t see any meaning in it. We get tired . We have to see the difference. Why did they proceed? They were determined. That is their goal. Why don’t we proceed? Because that is not our goal. We want just a little acquaintance. If it is nice and pleasant, we carry on.
These kind of Sutras give us an idea of what we are doing and what we should be doing or at least what should have been done. If we have been told not to do a certain thing, that should be the last word. We should never try it again. If you’re internally decided that you want to practice yoga, then it should be the last word. See that it is carried out regularly. That kind of very strict, army kind of drill doesn’t happen. It is just a little fun, game – try, leave. People come here and tell us, ‘I had joined this class 10 years back’. What happened? ‘I left. Again I came after 7 years, same thing. So I come again. I am not sure if I will continue’. That’s the problem. There has to be a total effort, total dedication. We have not developed that interest in yoga to have that total dedication. Ours is just a little acquaintance, just a touch and go.”
“If a person has interest in the material world, he should not start on the path of yoga. He is not an Adhikari. Virama Pratyaya is a stage where a person has complete Vairagya – Para Vairagya. Naturally a stage comes where he is not interested in anything. Slowly a stage comes through practice, where his Vrittis are gone. Then the final stage comes which is called Nirodha. In the Nirodha stage, contact with Prakrti (matter) is gone – Atma Sakshatkar takes place – Nirbij Samadhi – Kaivalya. We have to slowly graduate – start with Abhyasa and Vairagya – if the interest in the material world is there then Abhyasa is missing. So more Abhyasa is required. It is a very beautiful stage. One should imagine that state where there is no anxiety, no desire, no expectation. At least we should start with doing our duty and not expect. Don’t even think.”
Q : Whenever one goes for a movie, restaurant or we wear good cloths one feels a little guilt. Is it correct?
A : Dr J : Once clarity occurs and one recognizes what is important for us, then there is no turning back. One continues. Personal example : When I was young, I was quite good looking. There were so many people after me – one big man wanted to take me to England – just to make money out of it. Even the brother of the Prime Minister of India was very much interested. I didn’t mentally think about the matter, no considerations, no questions. Just. ‘No’ . It went on till I was 42 and Hansaji comes and tells me that she is interested in marrying me. Spontaneously I say, ‘Yes’. It is a strange thing – for so many years, ‘No’ and suddenly, ‘Yes’. The mind has to be clear and strong. That is the way the training has to be.
A : Hansaji : It should not be NO, NO always. One should say, Yes. Does spirituality mean you should wear torn cloths and sit at one place? NO. We give examples of King Janaka – wearing good clothes, doing everything. If you born in a slum, live accordingly, if you are in good home, live accordingly. Don’t externalize spirituality. Externally behave in the same way others are behaving. Sri Ramkrishna was taken to circus. He saw the circus. He saw the girls with very little clothes and he praised them. What did he see? He said, what concentration these girls have. He didn’t see their body. So don’t feel guilty. Why wear dirty, crumpled clothes. If you are doing anything, do it well, systematically. We are householders. If you are born in a particular family, carry on with your customs. No guilt. At the same time, no attachment. If you don’t get to see a movie, don’t feel sad. What you see in the movie is what matters.
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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