yajvan
09 May 2008, 09:55 AM
Hari Om
~~~~~
Namaste,
The last three posts offered ideas on ahiṁsā, satya and aparigraha¹. I thought to continue the discussion within the 5 yamas called out by Patañjali.
This post is about brahmacarya. One immediately thinks celibacy. That can be a component , yet lets take a look brahma+carya.
We know that Brahma as the creator, the creative impulse of all + carya is conduct. So , both put together, it is the conduct of Brahma, the source, Brahman. The path that leads to Brahman.
We can also look at this another way. This carya is also a carriage, a chariot. The notion is then a carriage that brings one to the source of Creation, Brahman. Some also look at the word ācārya or a teacher 'knowing or teaching the rules'. The rules then that connect the sadhu to Brahman. That is why it (brahmacarya) has been considered 'a student' as one of the āśramas or halting places, stages of life¹.
Many have been taught that brahmacharya is continence, perhaps this is one facet. Yet there are many who believe too much attention has been placed on the word being ONLY celibacy. Let me explain.
These additional dimensions are notions from the Chāndogya Upaniṣad¹. Continence (or the practice thereof) brings the fruit of tapas and is equal to yajña, worship. Yet the knower of truth that practices self-control ( another form of brahmacharya) attains the same benefits as Vedic rituals.
This ritual is sattrāyaṇa - sat ( truth) + trāṇa (safety or protection), another form of continence and self control. Some say sat is Being + trāṇa, or the benefits of protection in every way. So, one is protected by Being-Truth, in every way through this yajña and can also be accomplished by [and therefore equal to dispensing] self-control.
Now, what is of great interest is the observance of silence, maunam is also = to brahmacharya. Why so? it is the silencing of the senses. Now what is the Supreme silence? Contact with Atman. And when can this be done? Sitting quietly, transcending during meditation. Hence, meditation is silence and is = to brahmacharya = yajña. Hence, being in and practicing silence is of great value.
Why is this relevant?
Because Patañjali's instructions are part-and-parcel, to establish silence within the sadhu. This silence is samādhi. That is the connection.
Patañjali is quite wise, as his instructions all along the chapters are complimentary in themselves; That is, to bring about the condition of samādhi, which is called out as part of the 8 limbs (aśṭaka+aṅga=aśṭāṅga), of yoga in Chapter 2, sutra 29. It is establishing this samādhi, that brings about yoga or union with the Divine, and unfolding kevala (pure , uncompounded , unmingled; the absolute unity of spirit, enlightenment).
What else may be considered here?
Anāśakāyana or that of fasting. It too is the silencing of the senses. It is said that if one can control the tongue, one can master one's self. This anāśakāyana = self contol= brahmacharya=yajña and all the benefits one can gain from this.
What else? vanaprastha, some say aranyāyana or that of forest dwelling, really living alone or seclusion. This is the silencing of the senses ( social intercourse) and one gains great benefit. This too is = to self control = brahmacharya=yajña . This can be done at home too during meditation. There is only one, you, going inward and becoming one with turiya, 'giving up' duality for one.
Hence - self control is = to yajña=sattrāyaṇa=brahmacharya (and can be performed while at home). Is it strenuous tapas? Only you can be the judge of that.
What then are beneficial things that blossom from this brahmacarya that Patañjali calls out?
Chapt 2, sutra 38: brahmacarya-pratisthayam virya-labah
brahmacarya - as discussed above i.e. brahma+carya
pratisthayam - to stand firm , be based or rest on, be established , thrive , prosper
virya - valour , strength , power , energy; splendour , lustre
labah - obtaining , getting , attaining , acquisition , gain , profit
Three Views
Version 1
When brahmacarya is established (pratisthayam), power (virya) is aquired (labah).
Version 2
The fruit of being established (pratisthayam) in brahmacarya in mind, action and words is that your word becomes true (virya-labah)
Version 3
Having become steady in resting one's awareness continuously (pratisthayam) as being joined in awareness to one's origin and creative force (brahmacharya), then strength, vigor, and vitality are themselves strengthened (virya-labah).
And what additions do we have from the wise?
Ramana Maharshi -
Brahmacarya is ‘Living in Brahman’. It has no connection with celibacy as commonly understood. A real brahmacari, that is one who lives in Brahman, finds bliss in Brahman which is the same as the (true) Self. Why then should you look for other sources of happiness? In fact, the emergence from (leaving behind or forgetting) the Self has been the cause of all misery.
Swami Venkatesananda -
Brahmacharya literally means when the whole inner consciousness flows constantly toward truth, towards what is, towards God, Brahman. That is difficult! And so some holy ones restricted the meaning. They asked; 'What is it that distracts a person's attention most?' The opposite sex [polarity]. so they interpreted brahmacharya to mean continence, chastity. This is no doubt one of the constituents of brahmacharya, but brahmacharya means much more than that. Brahmacharya is also part of the search for truth. It means that the mind is always moving in the infinite (Brahman), towards the infinite, constantly looking for Brahman. That itself again is meditation.
When the question, 'what is truth, what is this?' is burning in one's heart, it is then that both truthfulness and brahmacharya are possible. It is said that the yogi who is devoted to truth becomes completely silent; every time he wants to say something, there is the thought, 'How do I know this is true?' This happens also with brahmacharya in the sense of chastity. When your mind, heart, and whole being are constantly absorbed in this search for truth, towards enlightenment, then craving does not arise and continence happens [spontaneously]. On the other hand, suppressing all these emotions is dangerous, because it is violence, it is untruth, and there is no brahmacharya there.
pranams
1.Words used
Aparigraha is to back-away from and release (from the behavior of, since it is a yama) of grasping, binding and seizing. Therefore apaigraha is a most descriptive term for the absence of hoarding.
Satya सत्य is true , real , actual , genuine , sincere , honest , truthful , faithful , pure , virtuous , Reality. We know there are two levels or experiences of this. One is the spoken word, the truthful word, some call this honesty.
Ahiṁsā अहिंसा we know as non-injury. Some call this non-violence. References from Chāndogya Upaniṣad , Canto 8.5
1.What people call sacrifice (yajña some write yajna or yagna), that is really abstinence (brahmacharya). For he who knows, obtains that (world of Brahman, which others obtain by sacrifice), by means of abstinence.
What people call sacrifice (iṣṭa), that is really abstinence, for by abstinence, having searched or performing iṣṭas he obtains the Self or ātmā. [ This iṣṭa is a particular type of yajña where ghee and food or anna are the main offerings into agni ]
2. What people call sacrifice (sattrāyaṇa), that is really abstinence, for by abstinence he obtains from the Sat (the true), the safety or protection (trāṇana) of the Self.
What people call the vow of silence (mauna), that is really abstinence, for he who by abstinence has found out the Self, and meditates (manute) on it.
3. What people call fasting (anāśakāyana), that is really abstinence, for that Self does not perish (na naśyati), which we find out by abstinence.
4. What people call a hermit (aranyāyana - or going into a forest becoming a hermit) , that is really abstinence. Arah and nyah are two oceans in the world of Brahman, in the third heaven; and there is the lake Airanimadiya, and the Asvattha tree, showering down Soma, and the city of Brahman (Hiranyagarbha) Aparagita, and the golden Prabhuvimita (the hall built by Prabhu, Brahman).
5. Now that world of Brahman belongs to those who find the oceans of araḥ and nyaḥ in the world of Brahman by means of abstinence; for them there is freedom in all the worlds.
Brahmacarya ब्रह्मचर्य - the conventional view: state of an unmarried religious student; a state of continence and chastity
Yajña यज्ञ from yaj यज् - to offer, present , grant , yield , bestow; to sacrifice with a view or intent; to invite to sacrifice
Āśrama - a halting place; level; the four stages in life Brahmacarya, grhastha (house dweller), vanaprasrha ( retired , some call forest dweller) and sannyasa (the renunciate)
samādhi समाधि - union , a whole , aggregate; intense absorption; pure consciousness, bhuma, fullness.Swami Venkatesananda -The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Commentary by Swami Venkatesananda pp 198 -199, The Divine Life Society
Ramana Maharshi - looking for the origin documents of this quote
~~~~~
Namaste,
The last three posts offered ideas on ahiṁsā, satya and aparigraha¹. I thought to continue the discussion within the 5 yamas called out by Patañjali.
This post is about brahmacarya. One immediately thinks celibacy. That can be a component , yet lets take a look brahma+carya.
We know that Brahma as the creator, the creative impulse of all + carya is conduct. So , both put together, it is the conduct of Brahma, the source, Brahman. The path that leads to Brahman.
We can also look at this another way. This carya is also a carriage, a chariot. The notion is then a carriage that brings one to the source of Creation, Brahman. Some also look at the word ācārya or a teacher 'knowing or teaching the rules'. The rules then that connect the sadhu to Brahman. That is why it (brahmacarya) has been considered 'a student' as one of the āśramas or halting places, stages of life¹.
Many have been taught that brahmacharya is continence, perhaps this is one facet. Yet there are many who believe too much attention has been placed on the word being ONLY celibacy. Let me explain.
These additional dimensions are notions from the Chāndogya Upaniṣad¹. Continence (or the practice thereof) brings the fruit of tapas and is equal to yajña, worship. Yet the knower of truth that practices self-control ( another form of brahmacharya) attains the same benefits as Vedic rituals.
This ritual is sattrāyaṇa - sat ( truth) + trāṇa (safety or protection), another form of continence and self control. Some say sat is Being + trāṇa, or the benefits of protection in every way. So, one is protected by Being-Truth, in every way through this yajña and can also be accomplished by [and therefore equal to dispensing] self-control.
Now, what is of great interest is the observance of silence, maunam is also = to brahmacharya. Why so? it is the silencing of the senses. Now what is the Supreme silence? Contact with Atman. And when can this be done? Sitting quietly, transcending during meditation. Hence, meditation is silence and is = to brahmacharya = yajña. Hence, being in and practicing silence is of great value.
Why is this relevant?
Because Patañjali's instructions are part-and-parcel, to establish silence within the sadhu. This silence is samādhi. That is the connection.
Patañjali is quite wise, as his instructions all along the chapters are complimentary in themselves; That is, to bring about the condition of samādhi, which is called out as part of the 8 limbs (aśṭaka+aṅga=aśṭāṅga), of yoga in Chapter 2, sutra 29. It is establishing this samādhi, that brings about yoga or union with the Divine, and unfolding kevala (pure , uncompounded , unmingled; the absolute unity of spirit, enlightenment).
What else may be considered here?
Anāśakāyana or that of fasting. It too is the silencing of the senses. It is said that if one can control the tongue, one can master one's self. This anāśakāyana = self contol= brahmacharya=yajña and all the benefits one can gain from this.
What else? vanaprastha, some say aranyāyana or that of forest dwelling, really living alone or seclusion. This is the silencing of the senses ( social intercourse) and one gains great benefit. This too is = to self control = brahmacharya=yajña . This can be done at home too during meditation. There is only one, you, going inward and becoming one with turiya, 'giving up' duality for one.
Hence - self control is = to yajña=sattrāyaṇa=brahmacharya (and can be performed while at home). Is it strenuous tapas? Only you can be the judge of that.
What then are beneficial things that blossom from this brahmacarya that Patañjali calls out?
Chapt 2, sutra 38: brahmacarya-pratisthayam virya-labah
brahmacarya - as discussed above i.e. brahma+carya
pratisthayam - to stand firm , be based or rest on, be established , thrive , prosper
virya - valour , strength , power , energy; splendour , lustre
labah - obtaining , getting , attaining , acquisition , gain , profit
Three Views
Version 1
When brahmacarya is established (pratisthayam), power (virya) is aquired (labah).
Version 2
The fruit of being established (pratisthayam) in brahmacarya in mind, action and words is that your word becomes true (virya-labah)
Version 3
Having become steady in resting one's awareness continuously (pratisthayam) as being joined in awareness to one's origin and creative force (brahmacharya), then strength, vigor, and vitality are themselves strengthened (virya-labah).
And what additions do we have from the wise?
Ramana Maharshi -
Brahmacarya is ‘Living in Brahman’. It has no connection with celibacy as commonly understood. A real brahmacari, that is one who lives in Brahman, finds bliss in Brahman which is the same as the (true) Self. Why then should you look for other sources of happiness? In fact, the emergence from (leaving behind or forgetting) the Self has been the cause of all misery.
Swami Venkatesananda -
Brahmacharya literally means when the whole inner consciousness flows constantly toward truth, towards what is, towards God, Brahman. That is difficult! And so some holy ones restricted the meaning. They asked; 'What is it that distracts a person's attention most?' The opposite sex [polarity]. so they interpreted brahmacharya to mean continence, chastity. This is no doubt one of the constituents of brahmacharya, but brahmacharya means much more than that. Brahmacharya is also part of the search for truth. It means that the mind is always moving in the infinite (Brahman), towards the infinite, constantly looking for Brahman. That itself again is meditation.
When the question, 'what is truth, what is this?' is burning in one's heart, it is then that both truthfulness and brahmacharya are possible. It is said that the yogi who is devoted to truth becomes completely silent; every time he wants to say something, there is the thought, 'How do I know this is true?' This happens also with brahmacharya in the sense of chastity. When your mind, heart, and whole being are constantly absorbed in this search for truth, towards enlightenment, then craving does not arise and continence happens [spontaneously]. On the other hand, suppressing all these emotions is dangerous, because it is violence, it is untruth, and there is no brahmacharya there.
pranams
1.Words used
Aparigraha is to back-away from and release (from the behavior of, since it is a yama) of grasping, binding and seizing. Therefore apaigraha is a most descriptive term for the absence of hoarding.
Satya सत्य is true , real , actual , genuine , sincere , honest , truthful , faithful , pure , virtuous , Reality. We know there are two levels or experiences of this. One is the spoken word, the truthful word, some call this honesty.
Ahiṁsā अहिंसा we know as non-injury. Some call this non-violence. References from Chāndogya Upaniṣad , Canto 8.5
1.What people call sacrifice (yajña some write yajna or yagna), that is really abstinence (brahmacharya). For he who knows, obtains that (world of Brahman, which others obtain by sacrifice), by means of abstinence.
What people call sacrifice (iṣṭa), that is really abstinence, for by abstinence, having searched or performing iṣṭas he obtains the Self or ātmā. [ This iṣṭa is a particular type of yajña where ghee and food or anna are the main offerings into agni ]
2. What people call sacrifice (sattrāyaṇa), that is really abstinence, for by abstinence he obtains from the Sat (the true), the safety or protection (trāṇana) of the Self.
What people call the vow of silence (mauna), that is really abstinence, for he who by abstinence has found out the Self, and meditates (manute) on it.
3. What people call fasting (anāśakāyana), that is really abstinence, for that Self does not perish (na naśyati), which we find out by abstinence.
4. What people call a hermit (aranyāyana - or going into a forest becoming a hermit) , that is really abstinence. Arah and nyah are two oceans in the world of Brahman, in the third heaven; and there is the lake Airanimadiya, and the Asvattha tree, showering down Soma, and the city of Brahman (Hiranyagarbha) Aparagita, and the golden Prabhuvimita (the hall built by Prabhu, Brahman).
5. Now that world of Brahman belongs to those who find the oceans of araḥ and nyaḥ in the world of Brahman by means of abstinence; for them there is freedom in all the worlds.
Brahmacarya ब्रह्मचर्य - the conventional view: state of an unmarried religious student; a state of continence and chastity
Yajña यज्ञ from yaj यज् - to offer, present , grant , yield , bestow; to sacrifice with a view or intent; to invite to sacrifice
Āśrama - a halting place; level; the four stages in life Brahmacarya, grhastha (house dweller), vanaprasrha ( retired , some call forest dweller) and sannyasa (the renunciate)
samādhi समाधि - union , a whole , aggregate; intense absorption; pure consciousness, bhuma, fullness.Swami Venkatesananda -The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Commentary by Swami Venkatesananda pp 198 -199, The Divine Life Society
Ramana Maharshi - looking for the origin documents of this quote