Yoga Sutra Ch 1 Sutra 5 (Parisamvad)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.

Chapter 1, Sutra 5

Vrttayah-Pancatayyah-Klista-Aklistah

Although the controllable modifications are many,

They fall into five varieties of which some are Klista and the rest Aklista.

Vrttayah : the vrittis are

Pancatayyah : fivefold;of five kinds

Klista : negative / painful

Aklista : positive / not painful

Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra:

Yoga is concerned with stopping the mind. The mind is the cause of pain, suffering and all the problems. So long as the mind is operative, there is no peace. They analyze what is the function of the mind. Apparently it gives us right knowledge; occasionally the wrong things also are given. Imagination is there, sleep, memory, etc. Traditionally these are the things that happen in the mind. All these are dangerous. What we call as right knowledge need not be very right – at a certain angle, certain education, certain age, we believe something as correct, but at other stages it may look very wrong. So in whatever way the mind will work, it will be handicapped. We carry on in the life on the basis of these handicaps. We do not carry on on the basis of truth, the reality, the fact. I see something and say this is that. Whether my eyesight is correct, I don’t know. The same is with our thinking. That is why the suggestion is to stop Citta. You can’t keep dressing it up and making it ready. You make it a little ready and again it gets spoilt. That is the way it operates.

We are totally depending on this mind. Our thinking, decisions, actions are all based on the mind. This mind is not a good mind. It is a faulty mind. All that is produced by this mind is not dependable. So naturally it will make mistakes and cause pain. We see this pain throughout life, but we never understand that it is the result of the faulty mind. We make such strong decisions – ‘I saw it with my own eyes, it is a fact.’ Whether the eyes are in a good order we don’t know. Whether the object is seen from the right angle we don’t know. The object can be at such distances like the sun, the moon, that we can’t know them. Yet we claim we have seen it. So in our life we are functioning, we carry on.

It is like the story of a one eyed man, coming to a country of blind people. Naturally he sees with one eye and the blind don’t see at all. The blind don’t see that it is sunlight and there is a river on the way. They have a different way of functioning. The man with one eye sees. He is trying to warn them – ‘Don’t do this!’ and these blind people for ages have been doing like that and they have survived and carried on. The one eyed man gets on their nerves – every time trying to correct them, advice them. It reaches such a pitch, that they decide that they should kill this one eyed man. He is a nuisance. So they all get together to murder him. The poor one eyed man starts running – luckily he has one eye. He escapes. That’s the story by H. G. Wells. The Citta is the problem.

Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra:

The Sutra talks of what type of thoughts we have amd what kind of activities the mind is doing. They are either positive or negative. Positive is Aklishta, negative is Klishta. Positive will mean those actions which reduce the Klesas – ego should reduce, ignorance should reduce, attachment, hatred, selfishness should reduce. If such thoughts are coming which are helping to reduce your ego, we should encourage them. Yet whether good or bad, they are activities of mind. Ultimately they both have to be removed. To remove negativity is difficult. One has to come from negativity to positivity. Ego is the last thing to go. One has to become humble, see good in others, see wrong in oneself – this training has to be done. Then ultimately it will be removed. We will have to work towards it.

You can’t give direction to a running horse. You have to first stop that horse, and then direct him. That is happening with our mind. Klishta thoughts are too fast. They have speed, they multiply very fast. Anger, worry, pain overpower us. First they should be stopped. Maharshi Patanjali was a philosopher, but more of a psychologist – he understood the human mind. He understood that it is not easy to control the mind. From the negative personality to change to a thoughtless state is impossible. Total elimination of negative thoughts is not possible. They can be gradually reduced. We have to keep a constant watch on our thoughts, activities – check whether it is negative or positive – Klishta or Aklishta. If it is Klishta, stop it. Don’t ever pamper negative thinking. Do activities which will make us more humble, caring, compassionate, tolerant and help us accept people as they are.

There was this saintly person who would visit from village to village. Whenever he saw there was something required to be done, he would start doing that activity. If there was no well in a village, he would educate the people about its importance and get them to dig the well. One fine day the well was ready and they arranged a function to felicitate this man. But this man disappeared. This man didn’t want any appreciation. He did his duty, experienced ‘Anand’ (bliss) and left the place. He didn’t want praise, he didn’t want criticism. What a strong trait! Whereas we do a little and look around for appreciation. We have to increase the Aklishta and ultimately even they have to be overcome. Citta Vrriti Nirodah.

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.

Want to learn more about The Yoga Institute? Click Here

Parikarmas (Embellishments)

The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 26th August , 2012 was Parikarmas (Embellishments)

Parikarmas are techniques for purifying the mind. They are Maitri (Friendliness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Goodwill) and Upeksa (Indifference to evil).

Following is the speech made by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra on the topic.

Smt. Hansaji and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

"This situation of having friends and enemies seems to be there all the time. In yoga, we talk of a neutral attitude - neither trying to love, nor trying to dislike - an even, balanced approach which we unfortunately cannot do. We admire someone and immediately want to show it.

You see, yoga talks of keeping the mind balanced and not going overboard because that is dangerous. If you like something, dislike will come. To carry through life in a balanced manner is a very difficult attitude because we want to enjoy life and we don't mind getting excited or angry sometimes. But you should remember that these will also bring in the contrary qualities also and if you have recognized that getting angry or excited is not a very nice thing, you will have to check yourself and not try and explode in these situations.

Then you shall be able to accept and maintain a stable mind, a balanced mind. This is the Yogic solution."

- Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

"We do normal Karmas in day to day life. We do our duties, work for earning, work for pleasure, and even help others now and again. Then why bring in Parikarmas in yoga? Maharshi Patanjali was very clear on how the human mind works. He saw that many times we go overboard in normal activities and get overpowered by emotions. Suddenly we get angry and it takes a long time for us to calm down.

Durvasa cursing Shakuntala

There is the story of Rsi Durvassa. He was a great Tapasvi and used to do penance. He had great strength but the Parikarmas were not there. If something small displeased him he used to put a curse on the person. Afterwards he would realize what he'd done and go back to the forest for penance and purification. If he had the feelings of Parikarma, he would not have cursed Shakuntala.

Yoga Shashtra says that even though we may be very wise, these kinds of mistakes will happen. So that these also don't happen, this path of Parikarmas is given. The mind itself should be full of these feelings.

There should be friendliness towards those who are successful, Karuna (Compassion) towards those who are in pain, Mudita - feeling joy in the joy of others and Upeksa (Indifference) towards evil.

Maitri, friendliness - do not get disturbed by ordinary things. If a friend came late, understand that he was probably justified in his action, he might have got caught up in some work. Do not blame or get angry.

Ramakrishna Paramhamsa

Karuna, compassion - if you see pictures of all saints and sages, their eyes are full of compassion. Every human suffers. Suffering brings compassion. So no matter what someone says, do not get affected, because their action is caused of suffering. There is a famous story of Ramakrishna Paramhamsa who felt compassion for a drowning scorpion and saved it even though it is poisonous.

Mudita is feeling joy in other's joy. If your friend is more successful than you, why feel jealous? Be happy for him.

Sant Namdev

Upeksa is being indifferent to evil things. Sant Namdev was returning after a bath and someone spit at him. He did not even look who it was. He went back for another bath. On returning, again someone spit at him. He still did not react and returned for another bath.

These feelings are difficult to develop and so they say that this path is for the best students of yoga, because once you are filled with these feelings, nothing will bother you. But I feel that even if we are not the best students, we should keep these feelings in mind. We should bring these into our day to day management. They will help us live life a little more level-headed and make it worthwhile."

- Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra

Q & A

Q. How do we remain non-judgmental if someone is apparently doing wrong things?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Are we a policeman? If yes then we should do something.
Smt. Hansaji - Wrong and right are very comparative words and we should not really bother about it.

Q. What should be done if someone comes across a situation which they just cannot ignore?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - You should see to it that you do not get into such a situation and if you do get into it, you should remember that you do not wish to get into such a situation and so just be silent and accept.
Smt. Hansaji - If you can't ignore, fine. But doing action with an imbalanced state of mind is wrong. So you can plan the action. Do not tolerate nonsense. The Bhagwad Gita says do your action and do it well with proper concentration. But the action should not be done in frustration or anger, etc.

Q. My daughter is 7 years old. When taking up her homework, she is very distracted and that makes me very angry. What should I do?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - If you are a wise mother, you should know that children in their growth time do have habits which are not correct and in a loving way we have to get them out of it.
Smt. Hansaji - Expecting concentration from a child is wrong. A child will be restless, etc. Getting angry is wrong on the part of the mother. So we first have to correct ourselves and see that we don't get upset about things we think are wrong.
How nicely we read stories of Krsna. Krsna is told not to steal, not to tell lies, still he does it. We clap and sing songs about Krsna. The same Krsna is in our own house in the form of our child and there we can't tolerate. That is wrong management. We have to make the child play a bit. Learn to communicate and attract them to do the right thing. So we should work on ourselves and be more creative and innovative.

Q. Being indifferent to someone spitting in front of me is possible once or twice. But if this happens many times, how do I stop them? Is it correct to accept the action? If so, how?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - How does the person come more than one or two times? If you know that is the tendency, keep away.
Smt. Hansaji - You can very nicely tell then, wait you want to spit? Let me get a pot for you. If you show anger or hatred, you have lost the battle. Do not tell them they are wrong. Internally we should not expect anything from anyone. But externally we should be cordial.

Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.

Yoga Sutra 1.04 (Parisamvad)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.

Chapter 1, Sutra 4

At Other Times The Seer Appears To Assume The Form Of The Modification Of The Mind

Vrtti-Sarupyam-Itaratra

Vrtti : (with) modifications (of the mind)

Sarupyam : identification ; assimilation

Itaratra : elsewhere, in other states

Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra:

Very difficult question to answer : Who are you? Nobody can answer that. You can know your name, your form, shape, family, home, connections and such things. Essentially who are you? – Are you the house, the family? We make mistakes. Until the end we never understand. We are in this world functioning as a unit and carry on. On the departure day we are just kicked out. We are not able to stop that. So this very very important question remains unresolved.

The solution in yoga is right in the 2^nd Sutra - stop this mind. The mind runs around and pretends to know everything. In reality, it doesn’t know anything. It is deeply involved everywhere. The ‘I’ has to come . With the ‘I’, the ‘me’, the ‘mine’ and so many things. That is the way we are constructed. It is extremely difficult to get out of that. We have been made like that, brought up like that, we have come to believe that. The attempt in yoga is to knock off this ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’. We have just picked this up unnecessarily and we have stuck to it. Throwing it out is the easiest thing but we can’t. If I can’t use the word, ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’, then what is left? We enjoy a certain status, position, power because of this ‘I’. So we have been put into a very good tangle from which we can never come out.

So this concept of total stoppage of Citta; but we can’t understand it. If it is done, then there is a chance that pure consciousness is available. This pure consciousness has been lost. We don’t know what it is. We don’t know the real ‘I’. The entity of consciousness we don’t understand, though we know we are conscious, we can’t get established in that. We can’t just be consciousness. We don’t know how to do that. If ever we get into that condition, we are frightened. It does come sometimes in life, but we are not able to accept a state where the mind is blank, no connections – just by itself - watching. That’s a strange condition. We want immediately to get attached in all. So this is the proposition, to get rid of all this and be to yourself, true to yourself – just consciousness.

In America there was a group of people living in a certain place where they didn’t use the word ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’ – just ‘we’. Everything belongs to everyone and they would deal like that. That came in the way of the village they lived in, especially when dealing with the banks. The government was after them to stop this racket. So that community has been practically wiped off. We can’t tolerate this kind of nonsense. We want to push in the ‘I’.

Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra:

Vrtti is either with consciousness or in this world. When we use the word, ‘world’ then all our sense organs – eyes, ears, nose, etc. which are connecting us with the world are involved. When the eyes see, thoughts start, you hear something, thoughts start. This is the whole problem with Vritti. Citta Vritti Nirodah has to be done, otherwise we are caught in the world. The wise people always feel that in the world also you should see only that consciousness. So God is everywhere, you think of God, you see God, you feel God.

If you live in the world accordingly, things will be under control and you can manage them, otherwise you get lost in the external world. The external world is also showing everything, but keeping that link with pure consciousness – try and see that the same link continues with the external world. This is the wise peoples’ formula. Whatever we see, be selective – don’t see anything and everything – be with nature, be with all such good things which remind you of that higher consciousness.

Hear good things – not gossip all the time. Somehow we have to be very very selective when it comes to living with the world. We have to live in the world. We have to do our duties. In all our activities, the thoughts, Vrittis have to be checked. If the Vrttis are getting negative then it would be wrong, if they are positive then we are closer to Isvar, God, Consciousness, True Self. We have to learn to live life properly otherwise we are lost. We make mistakes, solve the mistakes , again make mistakes, again solve – life just goes on like that. Then a stage comes where solving also is not possible – then there is just suffering.

So become clear as to how to live . Stop the mind. If you want to use the mind, use it properly.

About Parisamvad

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.

Want to learn more about The Yoga Institute? Click Here

WHAT SHOULD WE AIM FOR AND WORK TOWARDS

John Kimbrough

When one is new to the process of learning, there can be a daily feeling of excitement and contentment. One may even ignorantly think of themselves as being better or somehow more enlightened than others or ridicule others for not making such an effort.

Even those individuals who are liberal or spiritually inclined can be or have been involved in being petty, critical and judgmental to others. Ignorance is part of the mind and being of all people.

Regardless, our path and practice can be at times a very clear and straight one while at other times be one that is marked by sudden twists and turns.

We look for the ideal in others and the world while not spending enough on developing the ideal within ourselves. At other times we sometimes too quickly move and run from teacher to teacher and teachings to teachings.

Maybe we try to do too many things at once, so in addition to meditation and yoga practice we need a daily Thai massage or engage in aromatherapy, acupressure and acupuncture and other therapies that claim and aim to heal the body and soul.

We need to aim for two things, one being that we need to be compassionate to both ourselves and others and that we also need to be mindful about managing and developing ourselves and our own resources.

The Dhammapada teaches us that we should not weaken or compromise ourselves and our own resources and sources of strength and wisdom in our desire to assist and be compassionate to others.

Sometimes people do make unfair or unwise demands on us that are based more on their feelings and desires of the moment than on a life built around simplicity and self-discipline.

Sometimes we have to walk on by, say ‘no’or just let it be. There are things available in this world that can make one’s life more fruitful and comfortable but regardless of what we have or possess it is our mind and how we use it and how it functions that is the greatest source of health and happiness or the root cause of pain, anger and confusion.

So regardless of where you might find yourself at this time in your life, be more mindful about aiming to and working to the practice of compassionate boundaries.

In and through such a practice you will find yourself to be doing the most good for yourself, your family, the community and the world as a whole.

Published in the Sept 2011 edition of Yoga & Total Health Magazine

www.theyogainstitute.org

Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 19th August , 2012 was Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

Following is the speech made by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra on the topic.

Smt. Hansaji and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

"Ahimsa Paramo Dharama is a sentence we must have referred to often. We know it but it becomes a different thing when we have to practice it. We never took it for practice. We retaliate and react and that satisfies us. We can keep trying but someone or other will get better of us. And we’ll fail. Ultimately we’ll give up and when someone apparently is hurting, not to react becomes impossible. You see, this whole concept has to come from within us and our within is full of dirt and cruelty. We don’t think good of others. It may be our neighbour, it may be our relations and hardly when we see them, we think well of them. One who practices Ahimsa Paramo Dharama is one who has that kind of deep feeling – Maintaining goodwill constantly, thinking well of others, that’s the kind of mind that can speak out Ahimsa Paramo Dharma. But we have not cultivated it, we have to actually work at it. We have to continuously think well of others, be helpful whenever we can; and it can seep into us. Though we may not be able to help others, but internally we’ll wish well.

In yoga, there is something called Parikarmas. One of them is Maitri, which is a Bhavana (feeling) that has to be cultivated – Feel well for others. Karuna is another – Trying to be sympathetic, kind and it can be an internal feeling of empathy. So we have these kinds of contrary thoughts integrated in our personality right from early times where we think well of others, we learn it, we practice it. This kind of feeling we have. We don’t necessarily have to help someone physically. This can come at a later stage. But this preliminary feeling can start.

Let us carry a smiling face. Let us speak some pleasant words. Let us put up a pleasant appearance. These things are not impossible to do.'

- Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

"Ahimsa is a very huge thing because it is related to our whole life. There is some or other Himsa happening in every moment of our life. Jainism explains Ahimsa in great depth. At night there are more insects coming out which die when we walk over them. When we breathe, living organisms in the air also die. When digging in soil, organisms die. These things cannot be stopped because human life is dependent on other lives. This is bound to happen.

But yoga is talking of Ahimsa at another level. It talks of self-evolution, self-development. If we can become aware, it can be helpful to reduce Himsa. Probably we can do our best to reduce Himsa by not walking outside at night, be aware when walking, look down and walk instead of talking on the mobile phone or being distracted.

Yoga talks of practicing more at an internal level than the external. We live life less on the physical level and more on the mental. When Himsa comes into the mind, it reflects on our Karma. As the mind, so the action. There are many causes of Himsa. One of them is Avidya (Ignorance). We do not understand whether the other person has understood what we are saying. They have their own understanding levels and limitations. There is no one exactly like us in the whole world. So why should we feel hurt if someone does not understand us or says something that does not suit us? We feel hurt and keep reacting.

So yoga says, accept people as they are. Stop hurting others, no matter how they behave. Do not label anything as wrong. Everyone is right in their own way. A child or a grown man will act according to their own understanding as will a religious minded person or a modern minded person.

Now if we feel something is wrong, we are hurting ourselves. That is the main Himsa. Because after getting hurt ourselves, planned and unplanned and reactive Karmas begin. And we hurt others in turn. We hurt others because we are not able to uplift ourselves. If we pull ourselves down all the time, everything in the world will hurt us. But if we don’t get hurt, we will not care for hurting others and we will automatically walk on the path of Ahimsa.

In Bhagwad Gita, many Slokas talk on this subject – What happens in anger, Raga and Dvesa. The result is Himsa. The solution is Sthitapragna i.e. do not let the mind get disturbed. So we have to change our outlook towards life or Himsa will continue.

A dog barks and bites but we accept it the way it is. We accept all kinds of animals as they are, then why not accept fellow human beings as they are?"

- Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra

Yoga Sutra 1.03 (Parisamvad)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.

Chapter 1, Sutra 3

Tada-Drastuh-Svarupe-Avasthanam

Tada: then

Drastuh: of the seer , self

Svarupe: in his own nature or essence

Avasthanam: being in a state

Then The Seer Abides In Itself

Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra:

Hardly few words, but these 195 sutras make up the entire Patanjali Yoga Darshan. When we try to stop the mind, we realize how much the mind chatters all the time. Something comes in the mind, then something else comes. The mind associates with all this and is in a muddle. Consciousness is the real thing. If we are not conscious, we are like a stone. We never reach Consciousness. Mind appears to be the self. The instruction is to stop the mind, then Consciousness will come to light. One comes to learn yoga because one is in pain and wants to control the mind. Every moment one is getting disturbed, confused. Just imagine where the mind is now. It is on 100 things. This is our present condition. Mind is our only instrument, our only weapon. The instruction in yoga is to stop this mind, which we can’t.

Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra:

First control the mind, then stop the mind. The result is your true Self. You are not this body, this mind, you are something else. The material world is constantly changing. This changeful world is not you. You can’t recognize your childhood photo till someone tells you it is you. The only unchangeful thing within you is the Consciousness. You use the body and mind to understand this, but experience occurs when you go beyond this body and mind. So stop the mind, then experience comes. All saints and sages tell you to link to your true self. Experience the true self – Payoji maine, Ram ratan dhan payo.

About Parisamvad

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.

Want to learn more about The Yoga Institute? Click Here

Yoga Sutra 1.02 (Parisamvad)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.

Chapter 1, Sutra 2

Yoga: yoga

Citta: personality complex

Vrtti: activities , fluctuations

Nirodhah: control , regulation

Yoga Is The Suppression Of The Modifications Of The Mind

Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra:

This is the definition of Yoga – stoppage of the Citta. Yoga suggests that it has to be stopped. Can we imagine life without mental activity, thoughts, feelings? Mind is the best instrument to function in life. Yoga says - complete stoppage of the mind. Mind is made up of three Gunas, which can never be steady. They are changeful and we remain at their mercy. We can’t switch off and say, ‘NO’ to the mind. We can’t manage the mind – it is too clever.

Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra:

Don’t see that which causes a lot of thinking. Mind is made to think, so it goes on doing it’s work all the time. Once the person is aware, thought processes can be controlled. If we are aware, we take a decision. We can learn to stop the mind, at least when we are negative. Can we take this decision?

About Parisamvad

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.

Want to learn more about The Yoga Institute? Click Here

Sauca (Cleanliness)

The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 4th August , 2012 was Sauca (Cleanliness)

Following is a translation of Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji’s speeches as reported by the students of the Teacher Training Course.

Smt. Hansaji and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

"We take care of our outer cleanliness, but are negative from inside. This is why we suffer. The mind remains angry. We are not able to think correctly. The body and mind should remain pure from inside. We clean our house every day, in the same way we should clean ourselves internally. In yoga, Sauca comes under Niyama. We take care of the outside things, in the same way we keep doing this activity inside. We must always keep doing this till it becomes a habit."

- Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

"Sauca is cleanliness. It is a very deep word. In yoga, it is the first Niyama. Sauca cannot be practiced externally all the time. We can’t keep the body clean always. Even a slightest breeze comes and you become unclean immediately. Our house also can’t be kept clean all the time. The main important thing is internal cleanliness.

Cleaning all internal organs- your intestine, stomach, etc. daily is important. Internal awareness is necessary for getting normal bowel movements. This approach is necessary. First thing in the morning, drink water and take care of personal hygiene. Along with this, bring in cleanliness in thoughts. We choose things according to our nature. Habits, thoughts, everything is related to our nature. We should remove negative thoughts.

Always think good happy things. See good in all situations, keep your mind focussed. Take efforts to keep the mind in a positive state. Internal cleanliness has to be continuous. When the mind is in blissful state, no negative things will affect you.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. It is a very strong Niyama. One has to act on it. It should be part of our routines."

- Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra

Yoga Sutra 1.01 (Parisamvad)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.

Chapter 1, Sutra 1

Atha: now, at this auspicious moment ; implying the transition to this practice and pursuit

Yoga: as the absorption in samadhi

Anu: following tradition

Sasanam: instruction , discipline.

Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra:

These writings are not a sudden flair of imagination. Today many authors claim originality. They have created some new works. In olden times the writers were frank, honest. They would not give their names. Something that has been coming down in tradition. Each word creates a certain mood. In those days, 2000 years back, there was no writing. The individual had certain very inspiring thoughts and he would mention it to the others, close students. They would then pass it on to the next generation. Generation after generation these statements were remembered and passed on without any errors and mistakes till very recent times. There are families in Maharashtra whose job is nothing else but remembering the Vedas. Vedas are very large works and are the oldest. The father remembered the first work, the son the next, the grandson the next. They remembered by heart this huge literature. The requirement was that not a single letter be missed or mis-pronounced. No mistakes would be tolerated. The danger was that instead of doing good, it would harm. These people have sincerely remembered and have brought it down over the last 3000-4000 years, exactly as it was stated earlier and they are carrying on. They are doing, their children will do. The state government every year honours them. This is the history of our Indian literature which is very deep. No one knows who wrote the Yoga Sutras. No single copy of early writing is there. Yuj Samadhau – Yoga in the sense of reaching highest state of consciousness. These writing were considered very sacred. Maharshi Patanjali is supposed to have few students. He would speak to them, but there was a curtain between the students and the teacher. They couldn’t see the teacher. They would just listen. One day a student became curious to know what sort of a person the teacher is. He quietly moved the curtain a little and peeped. No sooner did this happen that the teacher stopped. He put a curse and said that he will not say anything further. Whatever was said, that’s all. So we have just 195 sutras .

Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra:

Atha – one should start with reverence. Yoga is concentration. One becomes one with the object of concentration. Yoga is uniting oneself with the object. Atma unites with Parmatma, individual consciousness unites with universal consciousness. Anushasan simply means discipline. Whatever data was available was made into a systematic path. What is to be done, who can do it, what are the difficulties on the path, what will be the final result all this; was taken into consideration. Yoga was there before Maharshi Patanjali. There was Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Tantra Yoga , Mantra Yoga, Raja Yoga. He brought them all together, took out the essence and made a systematic path. Because of his effort, yoga is considered as one of the Darshan Shastra – Yoga became the science of philosophy. Out of the six philosophies (Yoga, Vedanta, Samkhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshik, Purva Mimamsa), yoga became most popular and practical. It is not just philosophical thinking – it is living, it is experiencing. When Patanjali made this system, it was for everybody. Everybody can’t be a Bhakti Yogi or a Hatha Yogi. Patanjali devised a very systematic path for every human and so it became most popular. This path is for those who have a spiritual bent, who realize the limitations of the material world. These individuals progress faster – for them the techniques are different. For those who are still entangled in the material world for them there are different techniques. It is a lovely science, we have to take the decision and follow.

About Parisamvad

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.