Suthra 3
Sūthra 3: Thadha Dhraṣṭuh Svarūpe Avasthānan
1. The 3rd Sūthra is called the ‘Phala Sūthra’ or the benefit Sūthra. Per ‘Yoga Rahasya’ by Nādhamuni there are four-fold benefits :
4. When one commences the practice of yoga, the mind realizes that its perception of the object world is colored as illustrated below: Gradually, the mind realizes that certain goals are not worth pursuing or that they are not good for the self. It sheds certain interests and the colours in perceiving the object world begin to disappear. The Dhruṣhṭa then decides the direction of one’s activities rather than being led by the senses. Decisions come from within rather than from the social scene. The senses come under the direction of the Dhruṣhṭa rather than the object world.
The changed situation is illustrated below:
5.Further into yoga practice, the colored glass through which one perceived the object world turns into plain glass allowing one to perceive the object world without color or distortion. Eventually, the plain glass turns into a mirror that reflects the Dhruṣhṭa. It also acts as a plain glass when the self has to interact with the object world. The ultimate state of course is when the mind sees only the Dhruṣhṭa. That is when one can say Thada Dhraṣṭuh Svarūpe Avasthānam. The situation is illustrated below:
6. Yoga helps the mind to understand what one is trying to do and eventually see one’s inner core or the ‘svarūpam’. (Sva means self and rūpam is form). When not in a state of nirodhha, what one perceives is the Sārūpam i.e. the form as reckoned by the senses. There are as many Sārūpams as there are people but there is only one Svarūpam.
The intention of Yoga is to turn Sārūpam into Svarūpam!
1. The 3rd Sūthra is called the ‘Phala Sūthra’ or the benefit Sūthra. Per ‘Yoga Rahasya’ by Nādhamuni there are four-fold benefits :
- ‘Chittha sthairya’ or stability of the mind.
- ‘Vimukthi’ or liberation
- ‘Dhīrga āyuṣh’ or long life
- ‘Bhakthi bhāvanā’ meaning attitude of Bhakthi
- ‘Na rogam’ or being disease free
- ‘Na agnyāna’ meaning to be free of ignorance
- ‘Na bhayam’ or having no fear
4. When one commences the practice of yoga, the mind realizes that its perception of the object world is colored as illustrated below: Gradually, the mind realizes that certain goals are not worth pursuing or that they are not good for the self. It sheds certain interests and the colours in perceiving the object world begin to disappear. The Dhruṣhṭa then decides the direction of one’s activities rather than being led by the senses. Decisions come from within rather than from the social scene. The senses come under the direction of the Dhruṣhṭa rather than the object world.
The changed situation is illustrated below:
5.Further into yoga practice, the colored glass through which one perceived the object world turns into plain glass allowing one to perceive the object world without color or distortion. Eventually, the plain glass turns into a mirror that reflects the Dhruṣhṭa. It also acts as a plain glass when the self has to interact with the object world. The ultimate state of course is when the mind sees only the Dhruṣhṭa. That is when one can say Thada Dhraṣṭuh Svarūpe Avasthānam. The situation is illustrated below:
6. Yoga helps the mind to understand what one is trying to do and eventually see one’s inner core or the ‘svarūpam’. (Sva means self and rūpam is form). When not in a state of nirodhha, what one perceives is the Sārūpam i.e. the form as reckoned by the senses. There are as many Sārūpams as there are people but there is only one Svarūpam.
The intention of Yoga is to turn Sārūpam into Svarūpam!
