Concept of Pancasila in Indian Thaought

Author(s): Kamla Jain
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi

Page 36

Śila and its Allied Problems
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The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali which are however, later than those of Buddha and Mahāvira are based on individualistic happiness. According to it, personal salvation is possible only through eight-fold means of yoga. By yoga is meant concentration which restricts the fluctuations and activities of the mind (cittavrttis). The stages of mind stuff are restlessness (kşipta), infatuation (mūdha), distraction (vikșipta), singleness in intent or concentration (ekāgra) and inactivity(nirodha). Of these the first three have nothing to do with yoga, but the last two are the qualities of yoga, which means concentration on the right objects and distraction from the wrong ones. When the mind stops fluctuations completely or is freed from these stages of of mind the self attains self-expression. In other words it is liberation. For this Patañjali mentions the eight aids (yogāngas) of yoga. These are abstentions (yama), observances (niyama), postures (āsana), regulation of the breath (prāņāyāma), withdrawal of senses (pratyāhāra), fixed attention (dhāraṇa), contemplation (dhyāna), and concentration (samādhi).2 Out of these, it is said, the first five are indirect aids and the last three are the direct ones. This shows that the first five refer to the actualization of these aids to the exterior actions and that the last three predominate spiritual advancement. However, the actualization of the first five aids does not take place without a mental effort on one's own part and the last three are helped by the first five.
Yamas (abstentions) are the first aid in yoga. Placing of Yamas in the first and foremost place in the eight aids itself reveals its importance. It is Yama which can be assimilated with the Buddhist Silas and Jaina Vratas. They are the five abstentions of non-injury, truth, abstinence from theft, conti
1. SHTETUTTT TT gri Jagat: 24747 1–Pāt. Yoga, 2.25. 2. यमनियमासनप्राणायाम प्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोष्टावङ्गानि ।
-Ibid. 2.29.