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Studies in Haribhadrasuri
There are, thus, antidotes for all evil tendencies. Fear is to be checked through seeking the shelter of a preceptor, karma by penance and infatuation by the study of the scriptures. 18 These three remedies remind one of the three constituents of the Kriyayoga of the essence of Yoga of Patañjali.19 For obvious reasons, only the refuge in God has been replaced by refuge in the preceptor. Patañjali has influenced Haribhadra in other ways also, as for instance, when he suggests that the counter-ideas of sin should be entertained to overcome evil thoughts of attachment to women or wealth and thoughts of enmity. 20
And, last but not the least, Haribhadra's emphasis is on performing activities with mindfulness. Activities, when performed mechanically, yield but temporary results, whereas those performed with mindfulness lead to permanent results. This has been brought out with the help of a simile.21 The frog lying dead comes to life again when there is rain, but not if its body is reduced to ashes. Similarly, our passions may subside temporarily through some mechanical process, but their permanent annihilation is possible only through mindful or conscious Yoga. This suggests the difference between the temporary pacification (aupaśamika) and permanent annihilation (kṣāyika) paths of progress (śreņi).
Thus, in fine, a study of even a small treatise like the Yogaśataka of Haribhadra shows, beyond doubt, his rationality, catholicity, robust commonsense, deep insight into spiritual tradition, his power to reconcile the opposites and his originality.
