Sūtra 2.31

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 2.31:

जातिदेशकालसमयानवच्छिन्नाः सार्वभौमा महाव्रतम् ॥ २.३१ ॥

jātideśakālasamayānavacchinnāḥ sārvabhaumā mahāvratam || 2.31 ||

31. These are the great austerities of all stages, irrespective of kind, locality, time, and compact.

The Rajamartanda commentary by King Bhoja:

[English translation of the 11th century commentary by Bhoja called the Rājamārtaṇḍa]

[Sanskrit text for commentary available]

“Kind” (jāti), such as Brahman-hood (conf. ante, p. 71). “Locality” (deśa), such as particular sacred pools, &c. “Time” (kāla), such as the fourteenth lunation and the like. “Compact” (samaya), the requirement of a Brāhmaṇa, &c. These are called the great austerities (mahāvratas). They are imperative in all conditions or stages of the thinking principle, “irrespective” (anavacācchinna) of these four conditions of kind, &c., i.e., it does not mean that “I shall not kill a Brāhmaṇa,” “I shall not kill any one in a sacred pool,” “I shall commit no slaughter on the 14th lunation,” “I shall not kill except for gods, Brāhmaṇas, &c.,” implying four specific conditions, but that “I shall not for any purpose whatsoever, kill any one at any place, at any time.” The others should be explained in the same way. Thus, when these practices are universal, without any qualification, they are called “great austerities.” Their interrupted observance is not so.

Notes and Extracts

[Notes and comparative extracts from other commentaries on the Yogasūtra]

[The purport is that these restraints should be observed with reference to all kinds of being, at every place, at all times, and under every circumstance, without any qualification whatsoever. The object of adverting to “compact” is to leave no room for religious sacrifices, such as the Vedas enjoin. They are, in the estimation of the Yogi, as objectionable as unauthorised slaughter.]

He next describes obligation.