Sambodhi 1980 Vol 09

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

Page 31

Haribhadra's Synthesis of Yoga
by describing some common features in order that they can be understood even by a common sādhaka and no commentry be needed for him. It must be made clear here that the styles of Haribhadra and Patañjali are quite different because they have before them different sorts of readers. Patañjali's style is epigrammatic while Haribhadra writes in a style which would be understood even by a common man.
Tārā and Niyama
By this drști the sādhaka achieves some new features and characteristics. He now gets an intense liking for discourses on Yoga, has great reverence for the Yogis, serves them with faith, gets rid of minor disturbances and his conduct becomes cultured. He is no more fearful, does good deeds with ardour, and is above improper actions and follows the injunctions of those who are authority in this field.
Tārā is the parallel concept of Niyamas in Patañjaladarśana. There are five Niyamas : internal and external purification, contentment, mortification, self-study and worship of God or the deity. These are the rules for conduct for day to day practice and are based on the five yamas. Cleanliness can lead to Godliness. There must be internal as well as external purification. Purification is then the first sign of Sadhanā. Sādhaka should purify his mind and he should always remain contented with whatever he gets or in whatever condition he finds himself. Tapas is needed too and the more psychic it is, the more beneficial it becomes. Self-study means study of the Self and study by the self and study for the sell. Surrender to God is no less prerequisite as by such surrender alone the Sādhaka can become carefree and completely detached in every way.
Herein too Patanjali is more specific and states the subject in direct and straightforward manner. More important is his remedy for the distractions which might upset these yamas and niyamas. The real remedy for them is Vipakşabhāvanā i.e. the Sadhaka sould think contrary thoughts when inimical thoughts arise in the mind. When ideas of sex, untruth, violence, impurity etc. arise in the mind the sādhaka should begin to think of the contrary thoughts and ponder that such evil thoughts would lead to misery ultimately. Doing so he must think of positive thoughts. Patañjalı lays down a great law on the Psychic level that bad thoughts can be turned into good thoughts by imagining the stark result of improper thoughts. Psychologically too this principle seems to be enough. The energy that is there behind the evil thoughts can be channelized into good thoughts, because psychic energy is the same in their formulations. This law of Vipaksabhāvanā shows that it is the psychic that is behind the