Sambodhi 1980 Vol 09

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 29

Haribhadra's Synthesis of Yoga
4. Diprā
Prāņāyāma Śravaņa
An-utthāna
(Listening) (Non-interruption) 5. Sthira Pratyāhāra Bodha
Abbrānti
(understanding) (Non-illusion) 6. Kāntā Dhāraņā Mīmāņsā
An-anyamud (not (Cogitation) finding pleasure in
anything else) 7. Prabhā Dhyāna Pratipatti
A-ruk
(Acceptance) (Non-ailment) 8. Parā Samādhi Pravștti
An-āsanga
(Implementation) (non-attachment) The study in comparison of these four corresponding stages in personality of the growth of a Sadhaka, reveals that Haribhadra is very much influenced by Patañjali in this regard. The other two gradations roughly correspond to eight Dșstis but not to an exact measure. Bhāgavaddatta's expression of the stages is in positive terms while Bhadant Bhāskara's presentation is in negative terms as is the convention in the whole Buddhist tradition. We have chosen therefore to compare and explain the two corresponding stages in Haribhadra's and Patañjali's Yoga works. It can be seen from such a comparative study that though Haribhadra tries his best to go deep into the concepts of these stages and attempts to describe them to the best of his ability he seems to lack the subtlety and cogency of Patañjali's exposition. That is why I have thought it 'desirable not only to compare their corresponding stages of yogic evolution but to suggest and point the subtlety of Patañjali's exposition wherever necessary. Haribhadra states in the biginning that the first four stages are liable to degeneration while tho others are not. All the stages remove the veil of ignorance and as the Sādhaka rises higher the veil begins to disappear or fall down. Yoga is described as Jyoti in Yoga literature and Haribhadra too compared it to Kalpataru or Wishfulfilling tree. It is an interesting work to study yoga and comparison becomes more interesting and edifying.
Now let us take the Dșstis presented by Haribhadra and compare and expound them one by one in their sequence.
Mitra and Yama
It is generally remarked that the scheme of eight Drştis is a novel one. It is so if it is seen from the Jain point in view as there is no such parallel, in Jainism, but as is already remarked, Haribhadra follows Patañjali's eight Yogāngas in this regard and so there is no novelty as seen from the evolution of yoga as such. Now let us take up the first Dșsti Mitrā. Haribhadra characterises each Dịști by the general features of each one. In