________________ -15 that dhyana is to be accomplished with the aid of the first six yogangas (dhyanam prathamair-angaih sadbhih nispadyate25. It is therefore obvious that prior to embarking on dhyana, what is needed is the dharana or concentration of the mind on the object of contemplation. This is the sixth limb of the yoga discipline. Dharana in turn presupposes invariably, mental purity by way of cultivation of ethical virtues (yamas), observation of prescribed religious duties (niyamas), a steady posture (asana), control of breath (pranayama), control of the sense organs (pratyahara). It is only such a discipline with all the requisites when perfected a long period of practice that culminates in the actual realization or the direct vision of the object of contemplation. This final stage of yoga practice is known as Samadhi in the Yoga system leading to the state of kaivalya or the realization of the individual self in its purest form. But in Visistadvaita Vedanta, the final stage of bhakti-yoga culminates in the Paramatma-saksatkara or the comprehensive vivid vision of Paramatman leading to moksa or the final liberation of the individual self from bondage. Though bhakti-yoga covers astanga-yoga of Patanjali, its scope is far wider and more comprehensive than Patanjala yoga sadhana.) The yamas and niyamas referred to in the yoga-sutra is of a general nature and these ethical virtues and religious observances are common features of all the spiritual discipline laid down by other schools of thought including Buddhism and Jainism. More than these general ethical and religious principles, the Upanisads and Bhagavad-gita have laid down other requirements to be fulfilled as aids to bhakti-yoga mainly intended for the realization of the Supreme Spiritual Goal. On the authority of an ancient commentator on the Vedanta-sutra known as Vakyakara, Ramanuja prescribes a sevenfold ethical discipline named sadhana-saptaka as an essential requirement for the successful practice of bhakti-yoga28. These are 1) viveka or the purification of the body by consumption of sattvik food which promotes purity of the mind, as stated in the Brhadaranyaka Upanisad27. 2) vimoka or getting rid of sensual attachment and anger for securing mental tranquility. 3) abhyasa or repeated reflection on God who is 12 25 V.P. VI-7-91. tadrupa pratyacaika santatisca anyanisprahall; tad-dhyanam prathamair angaih sadbhih nispadyate nrpa... 26 See RB 1-1-1 tallabdhir-viveka-vimoka-abhyasa-kriya-kalyana-anavasada-anuddharsebhyah sambhavat 27 Br. Up ahara'suddhau sattva-suddhih -15.
