________________
YOGA.
467
vibrations, and becomes, what may be called, super-conscious. Such is the object of prânâyâma in the science of Yoga. The whole scope of Raja Yoga, in the words of Vivekananda, is really to teach the control and direction of prâņa on different planes. It is said in the Yoga Vasistba that -
“If the motion of Praga and therefore the mind be arrested, both internally and externally, then will death and dotage fly to a great distance. Then will abide in the body dhâtus (spiritual substances) such as will never be expelled at any time. Those only can be said to have truly cognized the Reality who, walking in the path of Atman Jnana, eradicate their desires, render thereby their intelligence clear, and tear asunder all the bonds of the mind. As the fluctuating mind arises through its gradual association with objects, births and deaths also arise. It is only when the mind quits all, without any attraction or repulsion towards objects, that it will cease to exist. If thoughts are destroyed through the extinction of vâsanas (desires), then quiescence will result and the mind's destruction will ensue. If there is no thought of any worldly object or of any place, how can the mind exist (separate) in the void of akasa ? ... The wise say that the mind denudes itself of its form, even though engaged in actions, if it, after dissolving all things unto itself, becomes as cool as ambrosia."
Touching the effect of the control of prana, we are further told :
“The control of prâna is tantamount to (or leads to) an abdication of external vâsanâs. With the giving up of râsanas the mind does not exist; the same result accrues with the control of prâna. Through a long practice of prâna's control and through the initiation by a guru, asana (posture), diet and dhyana (meditation), prâna is controlled, But the vâsands will be extinguished through the performance of actions without any attraction (or desire), the non-contemplation of samsára (or the absence of love for this mundane life) and the seeing of all things of form as formless. If there is an end to the life of our antagonist, the vâsanâs, the mind too will not arise. Should the winds cease to blow, will particles of dust be seen floating in the atmosphere? The fluctuation of prâna is that of the painful mind.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org