Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)

by Makarand Gopal Newalkar | 2017 | 82,851 words | ISBN-13: 9780893890926

Yoga-sutras 2.52-53 [The effects of pranayama], English translation with modern and ancient interpretation. The Patanjali Yogasutras describe an ancient Indian tradition spanning over 5000 years old dealing with Yoga:—Meditating the mind on the Atma leading to the realization of self. This study interprets the Yogasutras in light of both ancient and modern commentaries (e.g., Vyasa and Osho) while supporting both Sankhya and Vedanta philosophies.

Sūtra 2.52-53 [The effects of prāṇāyāma]

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of sūtra 2.52-53:

ततः क्षीयते प्रकाशावरणम् ॥ २.५२ ॥
धारणासु च योग्यता मनसः ॥ २.५३ ॥

tataḥ kṣīyate prakāśāvaraṇam || 2.52 ||
dhāraṇāsu ca yogyatā manasaḥ || 2.53 ||

(52) By that the veil over manifestation (of knowledge) is thinned. (53) The mind acquires fitness for dhāraṇā.

Ancient and Modern interpretation:

[Read sūtra 52 above]

The practice of prāṇāyāma weakens and attenuates that karma of yogī which unveils reveleation and brings about the cycle of births.

[So explains Vyāsa],

“There is no tapas superior to prāṇāyāma;it removes impurities and makes the light of knowlege shine”.

Taimni explains that due to prāṇāyāma practice, the psychic centres are activated and the brain becomes aware of subtler vehicles.Also, the mental images of dhāraṇā and dhyāna become precise and sharp.

[Read sūtra 53 above]

Araṇya says, fixity of mind on an internal region of body is dhāraṇā.

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