SHANTA (Patanjal Yogadarshan – Sadhanpaad) (With First Three Maxims of Vibhutipaad) (Wonderful And The Latest “Shanta” – With Gujarati Commentary) Commentator - Yogabhikshu English Translation – N C Vyas A Foreword The fifth book in the series of “Jay Narayana Granthavali” is “Shanta” - which consists of Sadhanpaad and three maxims of Vibhutipaad of Patanjal Yogadarshan - is the original commentary by Reverend Shri Yogabhikshuji. “Mukta” – Samadhipaad of Patanjal Yogadarshan – is the commentary about Samadhi i.e. enlightenment which was published earlier. Samadhi or enlightenment = Ekagrata or concentration = Samadhan or contentment = Sakshatkar or realization. The one which is understood in its true form is realization. Where there are enlightenment and realization, there the “Mukta” only is described with its different names; viz. Kaivalya or solitude, Moksha or salvation, Mukti or emancipation, etc. In “Shanta”, there is pointed depiction of how to attain enlightenment described in “Mukta”. And with the help of that, one can enter into infinite peace and experience the perfect eternity. If inquisitive practitioner reads and understands about the importance of enlightenment and be determined to attain it then he will have faith in Yama and Niyama (Yamas and its complement, Niyamas, represent a series of “right living” or ethical rules within Hinduism and Yoga. It means “reining in” or “control”) of eightfold Yoga; Once the foundation of Yama and Niyama has become strong, he establishes control over Aasana – postures and subsequently being competent of practicing external folds like Pranayama (breath-control) and Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), enters into internal folds viz. Dhaarana -conjecture, Dhyana - meditation and Samadhi – trance or enlightenment and enjoys the spiritual journey. Once he starts back and forth journey into conjecture, meditation and enlightenment, he achieves concentration of mind- consciousness and the result of which is attainment of ‘Vibhuti’ i.e. supernatural power. ‘Vibhuti’ means extraordinary realization; it is a story of birth of subtlety from the abstinence of worldly pleasure and creation of gross from subtlety. It will be described in Vibhutipaad, hence it is irrelevant to discuss here. Vibhutis i.e. achievements of supernatural power is a product of B sheer concentration; hence the miracles of external world based on that subtlety, which once experienced, will produce unprecedented contentment that inspires practitioner to keep him away from the vicious cycle of Siddhies – achievements. Thus the definition of miracles which is there in practitioner’s mind-consciousness is shattered. And from there starts the true and heartfelt obeisance without miracle. Original definition of ‘Chamatkar’ (miracle) as per Reverend Guruji Yogabhikshuji is like this – ‘Chamatkar’ = Cha + Mat + Kar i.e. don’t do miracles. The real heart – the true meaning of the word ‘Chamatkar’ i.e. miracle is included in this definition. Experience the infinite miracles happen in Mother Nature. Where there is ‘prostrate without miracles’, where ‘one who keeps himself miles away from the miracles’; there the mind-conscious would not stop for experiencing miracles and moves towards getting ultimate contentment and thus attain salvation. Solitude, salvation, emancipation is the miracle of “Mukta” – the enlightenment. If secured in enlightenment, in liberation, in salvation, in solitude; then starts the miracle of “Shanta”. ‘Shanta’, peace, eternal and genuine contentment – and only Asmi, Asmi, Asmi; i.e. I am, I am, I am; i.e. existence, existence, existence; i.e. H…H…H… Experience the salvation offered in “Mukta”, by “Shanta” and attains the eternal peace; that is my prayers to Parmatma – The Almighty God. - Naishadh Vyas C Preface Gujarati commentary and explanation of Patanjal Yogadarshan’s Samadhipaad was named “Mukta”. The one which helps in getting salvation is “Mukta”. Patanjal Yogadarshan’s Sadhanpaad is named “Shanta”. The one which helps in being peaceful and getting eternal peace is “Shanta”. For the one who is desirous of salvation, the meaning of “Shanta” is also “Mukta”. When ultimate happiness is secured, then only genuine peace is gained. Such peace is called salvation only. The form of God is also called “Shantakaram” means contour of peace. Peaceful means such whose afflictions are appropriately terminated – appropriately means infinitely and absolutely. With the start of practicing Yoga, such contentment starts prevailing that we feel that we too are doing something useful; when we have become traveler of the path of welfare then some day we will reach to the temple of eternal peace. The one, who practices Yoga regularly and punctually, though keeps oneself busy in material activities, experiences the life loaded with content because he has already started his journey and has moved forward. Hence though the path is lengthy it is going to be completed. Such faith provides the practitioner continuous strength. And thus sparkles of peace are envisioned. Before realization of eternal peace by ultimate practice of Yoga, at the start of it, peace starts showing its sparkles. The third part of Yogadarshan is Vibhutipaad. Vibhuti means ‘Siddhi’ i.e. achievement - attainment of divine power – divinity. Everyone wants divine power. Before getting qualified, if one madly rushes to attain it; then divinity is moved far away from him. There is saying in Gujarati, its explanation is – Abandon and it is available, ask for it and it is moved far away. Exactly in the same way ‘Siddhi- Vibhuti’ behaves. Guruprembhikshuji (USA) says – “Expectation without giving–sacrificing is a sheer madness, sheer foolishness.” ‘Siddhis’, with folded hands, stand before the person who has attained salvation and peace. But that person does not need them at all. Salvation and peace are the highest achievements. To become free from afflictions forever is ‘Mukti’ i.e. salvation. And termination D of afflictions forever is ‘Shanti’ i.e. genuine peace. What do we desire to do after getting any type of physical worldly achievements? The purpose is to relish happiness and peace out of that achievement, right? But if the happiness and peace is attained directly then what is the need of other medium. The reason behind the ‘Vibhutipaad’ is kept at number three in four parts is also because with meditative consciousness and yogic practice one becomes eligible to get the right to enter into ‘Vibhutipaad’. But during the practice of attaining that right, ‘something divine’ is accomplished because of which infatuation-attraction-temptation of Vibhutis i.e. achievements is gone. That ‘something divine’ which is achieved cannot be described in words. When one understandably does not attract towards Siddhis i.e. attainments then we can assume that one has achieved ‘something divine’. Siddhis – supernatural power is attained by Dharna- conjecture, Dhyan-meditation and Samadhi-enlightenment – the forms of restraint of senses. Thus it indicates that only after being qualified to attain enlightenment one can enter into premise of Siddhies. Sadhanpaad i.e. Yoga practice is an important component. If Yoga practice is not there then enlightenment, or supernatural power or emancipation – nothing can be achieved or realized. There is a saying – “When insignificant metal is not donated, how we can get gold?” When a person desires to get without giving, aspires without qualification then he fails ridiculously. Let us understand it with an example. Siddhidevi gives appearance to a person in his dream. The head and heels of the Siddhidevi were rubbed and worn out. Looking at them the person got surprised. He asked “Siddhidevi ji, why so?” Siddhidevi replied, “The non-qualified are madly after me to get me. To keep them away I have to kick them. And thus my heels are rubbed and worn out. Whereas I have to scrub my head on the feet of qualified persons and request them to accept me, however they don’t accept me! Hence my head is rubbed.” In extremely peaceful and serene moments; whatever intuition revealed on the Yoga-maxims, from the universal consciousness whatever inspiration received, and during the time of Yoga practice whatever contemplation, meditation and profound, repeated E meditation happened; their sum and substance is scripted and presented here in the form of “Shanta”. In a hymn it is sung – “Who bestows peace is called a saint.” Only saints can bestow peace. The word ‘Shanta’ is filled with so much emotions and power. The meaning of ‘Shanta’ is – peace provider, full of peace, from which the peace is overflowing. Those who contemplate-meditate and repeatedly meditate profoundly on this book ‘Shanta’ may be bestowed upon with genuine peace. Not only that, but those who touch or come into the contact of it may also be bestowed upon with genuine peace by Aum Parmatma i.e. Supreme- Being. Such are the prayers. - Yogabhikshu F Index Sadhanpaad Rule Meaning Pages 1 Tapa i.e. penance, Svadhyaya i.e. self-study and 1-5 Ishwarpranidhaan i.e. surrender to God – devotion of Supreme Being are called Kriyayoga (Kriyayoga is an ancient type of meditation technique that, when practiced, is meant to rapidly accelerate one’s spiritual progress.) 2 (Kriyayoga is for) attaining enlightenment and 5-6 diluting the afflictions. 3 The five kleshas (cause of affliction or cause of 6 suffering) are Avidya (ignorance or nescience), Asmita (over-identifying with your ego or egoism), Raga (attachment to pleasure), Dwesha (abhorrence or malice), and Abhinivesha (fear of death). 4 (Above mentioned) afflictions have four stages viz. 6-11 Prasupt (dormant), Tanu (tenuous or dilute), Vichchhinn (disjointed or split up), Udaar (generous or Magnanimous); and their fertile field is ignorance. 5 Inconstant or temporary seems constant or 11-13 everlasting, unholy seems holy, unhappiness seems happiness, inanimate seems animate; it is called Avidya i.e. ignorance or nescience. 6 To understand power of Drig – the viewer, and 13 Darshan – the view, as one is called Asmita (over- identifying with your ego or egoism) affliction. 7 (The one which) follows happiness is Raag i.e. 14 attachment to pleasure.