Purity -Benefits -YS II - 41

Yoga Sutra II-41 - SATTVASUDDHI SAUMANASYAIKAGRYEN-DRIYAJAYATMADARSANA YOGYATVANI CA - Moreover, one gains purity of sattva, cheerfulness of mind, one-pointedness, mastery over the senses, and fitness for Self-realization.

Swami Satchidananda tells us for this sutra that once there is an understanding of the body, the heart is purified as well. With a pure heart, one is always happy and concentration of the mind comes automatically. He points out that "an impure mind runs here and there, forcing us to bring it back again and again." The senses get controlled and the comes fitness for Self-realization which is referred to as Atma darshana yogyatvani. "These are all benefits of following niyama's first observance, purity. Just be pure in thought, word and deed." He says that this easy, however, the ego doesn't want us to accept things easily. "If we can practice purity for just one day, we will really enjoy the benefits."

"Purity of mind shows itself in a man's mood. He becomes increasingly dominated by sattva, the guna of illumination and peaceful happiness." - "How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood

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• Sauchat - Purification YS II - 40
• Niyama - The Observances - YS II - 32
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29

Sauchat - Purification YS II - 40

Yoga Sutra II- 40-SAUCAT SVANGA JUGUPSA PARAIR ASAMSARGAH - By purification arises disgust for one's own body and for contact with other bodies.

Swami Satchidananda has such an interesting commentary on this sutra which is now the beginning of the second limb of yoga - the niyamas (observances). Just covering the basic parts of it, he begins with "When saucha, or purity, is observed, it makes you feel that even your own body is impure.* Every minute there are secretions. Impurities are eliminated every second." He continues describing what the the skin does - like sweat, dirt, and how we attempt to hide the dirt. He says that once we begin realize that we are not the body, "we won't be interested in bringing two bodies together any more." Swami Satchidananda gives us an analogy of "there being no difference between the body and a cloth. One is a skin shirt; the other, is a cotton shirt".

It is pointed out that "The real union is not the union of two bodies, one masculine and one feminine. " Tantric Yoga is misinterpreted as pertaining to sexual union. "The Tibetan Tantric system speaks of Siva and Shakti--Siva being the masculine aspect; Shakti, the feminine. This doesn't refer to physical forms but to the positive and negative forces within each individual." Swami Satchidananda says "We should be sure of the esoteric meaning in the scriptures. If we take only the surface meaning we might be misled. " He elaborates that " offering fruits at the alter" refers our offering the fruits of our actions to God. In addition, he says that in ancient times every scripture had esoteric meanings purposely so that not everyone understood them. Once purity of mind obtained, then the meanings of these things will be revealed to us. "When the disciple is ready, the guru comes." So when we have that purity we will become ready to tune into our true nature.

*[part of the Editor's Note of this sutra referring to the "disgust" of the body is that it is not the same as "aversion" and that the human birth, according to sages and scriptures, is essential so that the soul can attain spiritual realization. "With realization, comes the percepti0n that the body is the temple of the Divine Consciousness and is, in fact, nothing but that same Divine Consciousness."]

"How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood states:

" The physical body is the grossest and the most outward manifestation of our consciousness. As a man's mind becomes purified, he naturally loses his sense of identification with his body. Therefore he grows indifferent to it, regarding it as a mere external garment which is neither new or clean." The desire for the bodies of others ceases as he no longer associates their bodies with the consciousness that inhabits them. When the Atman is known to be everywhere and in everything, " why should two outer coverings embrace?"

See related post:

• Niyama - The Observances - YS II - 32
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29

Niyama - The Observances - YS II - 32

Yoga Sutra II - 32 - SAUCHA SAMTOSHA TAPAH SVADHYAYESVARAPRANIDHANANI NIYAMAH - Niyam consists of purity, contentment, accepting but not causing pain, study of spiritual books and worship of God [self-surrender].

The next and second limb of yoga which is niyama, concerning the observances. Swami Satchidananda tells that with the five points of yama and the five points of niyama can be likened to the ten commandments of the Christian and Jewish faith, as well as the Buddhist ten virtues. Swami Satchidananda reminds us that there is no religion that does not have " moral or ethical codes." "All spiritual life should be based on these things. They are the foundation stones without which we can never build anything lasting."

There is a little more commentary on this sutra from "How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood in regard to purity. Purity is spoken about as cleanliness of both physical and mental. If man regards his body as the dwelling- place of the Self or Atman, he would want to naturally keep his body and mind clean. The external cleanliness of the body makes us feel better, thus affecting the mind. Then there is commentary regarding the internal organs being cleansed and using proper diet. "We must regulate our reading, our conversation, and indeed, our whole intake of mental 'food.' " They state in regard to cleanliness, what matters is our own attitude and keeping constant alertness and discriminative awareness.

Related posts:

• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29
  
• Yama - Abstinence YS II - 30