Chapter XXXV
On the Yoga and Mantra Siddhi
Page 1
Him�lay� said:--"O Mahes'var�! Now tell me the Yoga with all its Amgas (limbs) giving the knowledge of the Supreme Consciousness so that, I may realise my Self, when I practise according to those instruetions.
S'ri Dev� said:--"The Yoga does not exist in the Heavens; nor does it exist on earth or in the nether regions (P�t�la). Those who are skilled in the Yogas say that the realisation of the identity between the Jiv�tma and the Param�tm� is "Yoga." O Sinless One! The enemies to this Yoga are six; and they are last, anger, greed, ignorance, vanity and jealousy. The Yogis attain the Yoga when they become able to destroy these six enemies by practising the accompaniments to Yoga. Yama, Niyama, �sana, Pr�n�y�ma, Praty�h�ra, Dh�ran�, Dhy�na, and Sam�dhi, these are the eight limbs of Yoga. Yama includes Ahims� (non-injuring; non- killing); truthfulness; Asteyam (non-stealing by mind or deed) Brahmacharya (continence); Day� (mercy to all beings); Uprightness; forgiveness, steadiness; eating frugally, restrictedly and cleanliness (external and internal). These are ten in number. Niyama includes also ten qualities:--(1) Tapasy� (austerities and penances); (2) contentment; (3) �stikya (faith in the God and the Vedas, Devas, Dharma and Adharma) (4) Charity (in good causes); worship of God; hearing the Siddh�ntas (established sayings) of the Yedas; Hr� or modesty (not to do any irreligious or blameable acts); S'raddh� (faith to go do good works that are sanctioned); (9) Japam (uttering silently the mantrams, G�yatr�s or sayings of Pur�nas) and (10) Homam (offering oblations daily to the Sacred Fire). There are five kinds of Asanas (Postures) that are commendable: Padm�san, Svastik�san, Bhadr�san, Vajr�san and V�r�san. Padm�san consists in crossing the legs and placing the fact on the opposite thighs (the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh) and catching by the right hand brought round the back, the toes of the right foot and catching by the left hand brought round the back the toes of the left foot; sitting then straight and with ease. This is recommended by the Yogis (and by this one can raise oneself in the air).
N. B.--The hands, according to some, need not be carried round the back; both the hands are crossed and placed similarly on the thighs.
|