Raja Yoga Sutras
Commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda
II.32. saucha-santosha-tapah-svadhyaayeshvara-pranidhaanani nyamaah.
The niyamas consist of cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self-study,
and self-surrender.
Commentary:
The niyamas are observances which cultivate positive qualities.
They involve purification, stilling the mind, self-discipline, inquiry into the nature of the Self, and surrendering the personal will, or ego, to the supreme will. Aside from cleanliness, one should cultivate indifference towards the body. Cleanliness means internal as well as external purification. A proper diet based on vegetarianism and natural foods, specialised yogic cleansing techniques, and the yoga exercises keep the body internally pure and free from obstructions. Cleanliness also extends to the mind. Only when it is it is purified of all dross can it be a pure mirror for
the reflection of the Self.
Laughter comes from stimulation, but a smile comes from inner
peacefulness. Satisfied with itself, the mind needs nothing else for its
contentment, which grows in proportion to awareness of the inner Self.
The mind should not be effected by external objects. They may be possessed, but with detachment. Do not let them possess the mind.
Austerity means curtailing the insatiable demands of the senses.
Drink water instead of coffee, practise silence instead of talking,
control greed by eating bland food, and counteract sleep by getting up
early. When the mind learns that its demands for pleasure will not be met
through the senses, it stops its useless wandering and turns inward.
Control of the senses clears the way for such powers as telepathy and
clairvoyance.
Study of spiritual works and the scriptures helps to keep a person on
the right path. Books alone, however, can only take one so far, and can lead to intellectual pride. Surrender to the will of God is necessary, for
ultimately everything depends upon His grace.
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