Sambodhi 2007 Vol 31

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 15

Vol. XXXI, 2007
HARIBHADRASŪRĪCĀCĀRYA) ON YOGA
[3] Preliminary preparation
. As a preliminary preparation, some duties like charity to poor and helpless persons, worship of the preceptor, deities and guests, should be performed by an Apunarbandhaka. Haribhadrasūrī states them by the word lokadharma, which is the basis of true Yoga and subtler stages of Yoga, and ultimately it leads to Moksa. Secondly, for the samyagdrsti sādhaka, there are instructions about Anuvratas viz. Ahiṁsā, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacarya and Aparigraha10. These five constitute Yamc, the first subservient of astāngayoga of Patañjali. Thirdly, for the caritrin, there are instructions related to various sub-stages through which he has to pass.
Further, the instructions for a householder and for a monk, leading to the path of Yoga, are enumerated. A sadhaka should not be misguided because to impart the instructions to ineligible persons or to impart improper instructions, becomes a cause of bondage. Hence, a practitioner should not be misguided.
Equal importance is given to the routine prescribed for the sadhaka. Without interruption, he should regularly practise Yogic sādhanā, which strengthens good habits, disciplines the mind, gives rhythms to life, bestows harmony in physical and mental actions, lastly it brings concentration of the mind. These benefits are the result of taking interest in practice done by a sādhaka and his regularity in Yogic sādhana. A sadhaka is strictly advised to do Yogic efforts and followed routine prescribed for the sādhaka according to his capacity and fitness. And such practises become Yoga.
[4] Means to bring spiritual development
Then Haribhadra describes rules, principles and means, both external and internal by which sādhaka can bring about his spiritual development from his existing stage to the next higher stages, (a) He should purify his body through blameless movement, his speech through blameless utterances and his mind through noble thoughts- these all constitute purification, because body, speech and mind become fit for Yoga by pleasing constitution, tone and dreams, (b) He should proceed on to a higher stage of spiritual development in presence of a competent preceptor with due ceremonies like salutation etc. at right place and right time, (c) At the arrival of feelings of apathy for the spiritual development, one should choose a safe place to spell a formula (mantra).