Patanjali's Yogasutra | Dr. Kausthub Desikachar | YS II.54 & II.55 | 22 February 2020

Introduction

The speaker begins with a traditional chant in Sanskrit, invoking reverence to Patanjali, the sage who compiled the Yoga Sutras.

Traditional Chant and Invocation

• The speaker chants a traditional Sanskrit verse honoring Patanjali.

• The chant signifies respect and sets a sacred tone for the discourse.

• Emphasis is placed on the significance of Patanjali's teachings in yoga philosophy.

Exploration of Pranayama

The discussion transitions to an exploration of Pranayama, highlighting its importance and benefits according to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Importance of Pranayama

• Pranayama is presented as crucial for preparing the mind for higher states of consciousness.

• Five Sutras are dedicated to Pranayama, indicating its greater importance over Asana practice in yoga philosophy.

Understanding Pratyahara

The focus shifts towards Pratyahara, elucidating its role as the fifth Anga of Ashtanga Yoga and its significance in sensory control.

Significance of Pratyahara

• Pratyahara involves regulating sensory faculties to achieve control over external influences.

• Differentiates between Nyanindriyas (senses of perception) and Karmindriyas (senses of action) in sensory regulation.

Control Over Sensory Faculties

Delving deeper into sensory faculties and their impact on perception and action within the framework of yoga philosophy.

Regulation of Sensory Faculties

• Discussion on Nyanindriyas (senses of perception) and Karmindriyas (senses of action) in controlling sensory responses.

• Explanation on how senses interact with specific objects known as Sla Vishaya, influencing individual preferences and attachments.

Programming of Sense Organs

Exploring how past experiences shape our preferences through sense organs' programming, impacting choices and behaviors.

Influence on Choices

• Sense organs' programming from past experiences affects food preferences, leading to attraction towards specific tastes like sweet or salty foods.

New Section

The influence of senses on human behavior and decision-making processes.

Understanding Sensory Influence

• Photography and smell can subconsciously attract individuals based on personal preferences.

• Senses like smell can lead people towards specific directions, impacting decision-making.

• Over time, sensory preferences can control individuals, affecting their choices even against their better judgment.

Influence of Senses on Behavior

How senses shape human interactions and perceptions.

Sensory Control

• Senses can dominate human interactions, leading to superficial relationships based on sensory appeal rather than deeper qualities.

• People tend to view each other through a sensory lens, focusing on physical attractiveness over intellectual or emotional depth.

• Unique individuals may evoke fear in others due to deviating from societal norms, despite admiration for their distinctiveness.

Balancing Senses and Life

Maintaining a balance between sensory experiences and life fulfillment.

Sense Management

• While senses like music enrich life, excessive attachment can hinder personal growth by diverting focus from life goals.

• Disconnecting from sensory distractions is crucial to fulfilling one's potential and avoiding unnecessary suffering.

New Section

In this section, the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding distractions in pursuit of spiritual growth is discussed through the story of Vishwamitra's temptation by an Apsara named Mehra Ka.

Vishwamitra's Temptation

• Vishwamitra aspired to become a Brahma Rishi like Vasesh Tha, focusing on meditation in the forest.

• Tempted by Apsara Mehra Ka, Vishwamitra deviated from his path, leading to the birth of Bharata.

• Highlighting the significance of maintaining focus on Dharma and not letting relationships become distractions.

• Introducing the concept of Prati Ahara - redirecting senses towards constructive rather than indulgent stimuli.

Maintaining Control Over Senses

This section delves into controlling senses through Prati Ahara to prevent distractions and maintain focus on spiritual growth.

Prati Ahara Concept

• Differentiating between regular consumption (Ahara) and redirecting senses towards opposite food (Prati Ahara).

• Metaphor from Mahabharata illustrating mind as charioteer guiding senses like horses.

• Emphasizing the need for mind to control senses instead of allowing senses to dictate actions.

• Exploring how regulating senses through Prati Ahara leads to making conscious choices aligned with one's goals.

Balancing Sense Organ Usage

The discussion shifts towards balancing sense organ usage akin to maintaining tools for optimal functionality.

Sense Organ Management

• Introducing the concept of appropriate use (Pratiahara), neither underusing nor overusing sense organs.

• Drawing parallels between sense organs and tools like a bicycle - ineffective if unused or overused.

• Stressing on conscious utilization of sense organs at an appropriate capacity for efficient functioning.

Conscious Use of Technology

Addressing modern challenges related to excessive technology usage impacting physical well-being.

Impact of Technology

• Discussing adverse effects of excessive technology use on physical health, particularly eyes and hands.

Understanding Consciousness and Senses

The discussion delves into the importance of controlling senses through consciousness and provides insights on ancient techniques for sensory discipline.

Techniques for Sensory Control

• Emphasizes setting boundaries for senses by redirecting focus to natural, spiritual objects like flowers or a japa mala.

• Advocates diversifying sensory experiences by observing nature closely and distantly, internally and externally.

• Mentions ancient Vedic tools like Thrakara and Grishti to discipline vision, contrasting modern yogis' competitive practices.

• Highlights the practice of Guru, Mahadev Rishty or Nasa for eye control by gazing at specific points with closed eyes.

Practices for Sense Discipline

Explores Pratyahara as a method to regulate senses effectively in alignment with appropriate perception.

Pratyahara Techniques

• Discusses using sound through mantras to enhance focus and prevent distractions during chanting.

• Introduces Pratyahara as practices ensuring senses are neither overused nor misused, promoting proper object perception.

Enhancing Perception Through Controlled Senses

Examines how disciplined senses lead to improved perception and longevity of sensory abilities.

Improved Perception

• Contrasts ancient yogis' heightened sensory abilities with modern limitations due to sensory overload and lack of variety in experiences.

• Critiques subjective likes/dislikes influencing perceptions rather than objective reality, emphasizing lasting happiness beyond sensory gratification.

Stepping Back from Senses for Clarity

Encourages distancing from senses to access deeper consciousness beyond limited sensory perceptions.

Objective Reality vs. Sensory Influence

• Urges stepping back from senses towards consciousness (Puru Shaka), highlighting limitations in perceiving everything solely through senses.

Pratyahara: Mastering the Senses

In this section, the speaker delves into the concept of Pratyahara, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one thing at a time to gain control over the senses.

Understanding Pratyahara

• Patanjali introduces Pratyahara as a practice to control the senses by focusing on one thing at a time.

• Multi-tasking is debunked as concentration can only be on one object at a time, highlighting the significance of chittasya Vishaya (focus on one thing).

• The mind can only hold one focus at a time (chittavishya), emphasizing the need for singular attention to strengthen senses.

• Through prolonged practice of Pratyahara, control over senses (parama vashyata indriyana) is achieved, leading to extraordinary sensory abilities.

Mastery through Sensitivity

• Enhanced sensitivity from Pratyahara allows for divine vision, acute hearing, and discernment in tastes and smells.

• Profound sensitivity enables distinguishing accents and subtle differences in sounds and tastes, showcasing mastery over senses.

• Heightened sensitivity extends to feeling subtle pulses like snake or frog pulse, demonstrating exceptional sensory acuity.

Chitta Mind and Focus

• Pratyahara involves replacing sensory patterns with chitta mind's chosen focus based on discernment for mastering senses effectively.

• Chitta mind plays a crucial role in deciding healthy focuses and eliminating distractions through deep discernment (chitha-rithinirotha).

Objects vs. Senses: Perception Dynamics

This segment explores how individuals perceive objects differently based on their relationship with their senses rather than inherent qualities of objects themselves.

Diverse Perspectives on Objects

• Individuals view objects diversely; an object like fruit may be seen as food by some or an offering by others based on personal inclinations.

Pratyahara: The Key to Focus

In this section, the importance of Pratyahara in maintaining focus during yoga practice is discussed. Pratyahara acts as a crucial step before Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

Pratyahara and Distractions

• Distractions in ancient times were present even in the forest where yogis practiced.

• Yogis had to constantly change places due to distractions like animal sounds.

• Pratyahara is essential before Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi to prevent distractions from hindering focus.

Transition to Vibhuti Pada

The conclusion of Sadhana Pada leads to an introduction of the next chapter, Vibhuti Pada. This transition emphasizes the significance of certain practices for individuals easily distracted.

Significance of Practices

• Yamana, Yama, Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara are crucial practices for those easily distracted.

• Asanas, Pranayama, and Pratyahara can be consistently practiced compared to Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

Meditation Practice Levels

Understanding different levels of meditation practice based on control and achievement.

Levels of Practice

• Meditation requires a higher level of control compared to other practices like Asanas or Pranayama.