[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
clearness of complexion, a beautiful voice, an agreeable odour in the body,
and scantiness of excretions.
14. As gold or silver, first covered with earth, and then cleaned, shines full
of light, so the embodied man seeing the truth of the Atman as one, attains
the goal and becomes sorrowless.
151
Raja Yoga
Yajnavalkya quoted by Shankara [1]
"After practising the postures as desired, according to rules, then, O Gargi,
the man who has conquered the posture will practise Pranayama.
"Seated in an easy posture, on a (deer or tiger) skin, placed on Kusha grass,
worshipping Ganapati with fruits and sweetmeats, placing the right palm on
the left, holding the throat and head in the same line, the lips closed and
firm, facing the east or the north, the eyes fixed on the tip of the nose,
avoiding too much food or fasting, the Nadis should be purified, without
which the practice will be fruitless. Thinking of the (seed - word) 'Hum,' at
the junction of Pingala and Ida (the right and the left nostrils), the Ida should
be filled with external air in twelve Matras (seconds); then the Yogi
meditates on fire in the same place with the world 'Rung,' and while
meditating thus, slowly ejects the air through the Pingala (right nostril).
Again filling in through the Pingala the air should be slowly ejected through
the Ida, in the same way. This should be practised for three or four years, or
three or four months, according to the directions of a Guru, in secret (alone
in a room), in the early morning, at midday, in the evening, and at midnight
(until) the nerves become purified. Lightness of body, clear complexion,
good appetite, hearing of the Nada, are the signs of the purification of
nerves. Then should be practised Pranayama composed of Rechaka
(exhalation), Kumbhaka (retention), and Puraka (inhalation). Joining the
Prana with the Apana is Pranayama. "In sixteen Matras filling the body from
the head to the feet, in thirty - two Matras the Prana is to be thrown out, and
with sixty - four the Kumbhaka should be made. "There is another
Pranayama in which the Kumbhaka should first be made with sixty - four
Matras, then the Prana should be thrown out with sixteen, and the body next
filled with sixteen Matras. "By Pranayama impurities of the body are thrown
out; by Dharana the impurities of the mind; by Pratyahara impurities of
attachment; and by Samadhi is taken off everything that hides the lordship of
the Soul."
152
Raja Yoga
Sankhya - Book III
29. By the achievement of meditation, there come to the pure one (the
Purusha) all powers of nature.
30. Meditation is the removal of attachment.
31. It is perfected by the suppression of the modifications.
32. By Dharana, posture, and performance of one's duties, it is perfected.
33. Restraint of the Prana is by means of expulsion and retention.
34. Posture is that which is steady and easy.
36. Also by non - attachment and practice, meditation is perfected.
74. By reflection on the principles of nature, and by giving them up as "not
It, not It," discrimination is perfected.
Sankhya - Book IV
3. Instruction is to be repeated.
5. As the hawk becomes unhappy if the food is taken away from him and
happy if he gives it up himself (so he who gives up everything voluntarily is
happy).
6. As the snake is happy in giving up his old skin.
8. That which is not a means of liberation is not to be thought of; it becomes
a cause of bondage, as in the case of Bharata.
9. From the association of many things there is obstruction to meditation,
through passion, aversion, etc., like the shell bracelets on the virgin's hand.
10. It is the same even in the case of two.
153
Raja Yoga
11. The renouncers of hope are happy, like the girl Pingala.
13. Although devotion is to be given to many institutes and teachers, the
essence is to be taken from them all as the bee takes the essence from many
flowers.
14. One whose mind has become concentrated like the arrowmaker's does
not get his meditation disturbed.
15. Through transgression of the original rules there is non - attainment of
the goal, as in other worldly things.
19. By continence, reverence, and devotion to Guru, success comes after a
long time (as in the case of Indra).
20. There is no law as to time, as in the case of Vamadeva.
24. Or through association with one who has attained perfection.
27. Not by enjoyments is desire appeased even with sages (who have
practised Yoga for long).
Sankhya - Book V
128. The Siddhis attained by Yoga are not to be denied like recovery
through medicines etc.
Sankhya - Book VI
24. Any posture which is easy and steady is an Asana; there is no other rule.
154
Raja Yoga
Vyasa-Sutras - Chapter IV, Section I
7. Worship is possible in a sitting posture.
8. Because of meditation.
9. Because the meditating (person) is compared to the immovable earth.
10. Also because the Smritis say so.
11. There is no law of place; wherever the mind is concentrated, there
worship should be performed.
These several extracts give an idea of what other systems of Indian
Philosophy have to say upon Yoga.
References
1. In Svetashvatara Upanishad Bhashya.
155
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]