Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
by Rajendralala Mitra | 1883 | 103,575 words
The Yoga-Sutra 2.2, English translation with Commentaries. The Yogasutra of Patanjali represents a collection of aphorisms dealing with spiritual topics such as meditation, absorption, Siddhis (yogic powers) and final liberation (Moksha). The Raja-Martanda is officialy classified as a Vritti (gloss) which means its explanatory in nature, as opposed to being a discursive commentary.
Sūtra 2.2
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 2.2:
समाधिभावनार्थः क्लेशतनूकरणार्थश्च ॥ २.२ ॥
samādhibhāvanārthaḥ kleśatanūkaraṇārthaśca || 2.2 ||
2. It is for the purpose of the contemplation of Samādhi and for weakening afflictions.
The Rajamartanda commentary by King Bhoja:
[English translation of the 11th century commentary by Bhoja called the Rājamārtaṇḍa]
[Sanskrit text for commentary available]
“Afflictions” (kleśāḥ) will be presently described (II, in.) To “weaken them” is to make them unfit for their respective works. “Samādhi” (meditation) has been already explained (I, xx.) Its “contemplation” (bhāvanā) is repeated cogitation of it in thought. That Yoga which has these contemplation and weakening for its purpose (artha), object, is so called (kriyā-yoga). What is said is this: These mortifications, &c. when practised, weakening the afflictions of the ignorance residing in the thought, become accessories to Samādhi. Therefore the advice is that the Yogī should first turn his attention to this Practical Yoga.
Notes and Extracts
[Notes and comparative extracts from other commentaries on the Yogasūtra]
[The purport of this aphorism has been already anticipated in the remarks on the last preceding Aphorism.]
It has been said (above that the Practical Yoga it wanted) for the purpose of weakening the afflictions, and what those afflictions are he now describes.