________________
. ( 44 ) Sutras of Patanjali are better known, let us examine them, and let us see if any importance is paid therein to Vedic sacrifices as a source of obtaining eternal bliss.
Gentlemen, in the Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali there is no reference to Vedic sacrifices as being helpful. On the contrary you find in Pada 2, Sutra 30, mention of Yama as including ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha.
पहिंसा सत्यास्तेय ब्रह्मचर्या परिग्रहायमाः ॥१॥ *This Yama is reckoned as accessory to Yoga. In Sutra 31, these five restraints that form Yama are called Mahavratas if they are observed in all conditions of.the Chitta. ya arfa égaie watafa: 18 HH AFTÆ 11 380
" These are the great austerities of all stagęs, irrespective of jati, desha, kala, and samaya.",
“They are imperative in all conditions or stages of the thinking principle, irrespective (anavachchhinna) of these four conditions of kind, &c., i. e., it does not mean that I shall not kill a Brahman,' ...........
.................................................. 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 the practices are universal without any qualification, they are called
great austerities' (Mahavratas.) Their interrupted observance is not so.” (Translation of Yoga Sutras, Dr. Rajendra Lal Mitrá, p. 93).
