Pada 2, Sutra 35 Sanskrit Verse Ahimsaa-pratisthaayaam tat-sannidhau vaira-tyaagah Translation Upon being established in non-violence, hostility is abandoned in the yogin’s presence. Interpretation Only when we harbor peace and good will to all of existence can we become established in non-violence and this is initiated by feeling at peace with our own existence. When we become peace itself we become established in non-violence and this radiates from the very core of our be

Pada 2, Sutra 34 Sanskrit Verse Vitarkaa hinsaadayah krta-kaaritaanumoditaa lobha-krodha-moha-purvakaa mrdu-madhyaadhimaatraa duhkhaajnaanaananta-phalaa iti pratipaksa-bhaavanam Translation Unwholesome negative thoughts and actions such as harming whether done, caused to be done or approved of, whether incited by greed, anger or infatuation, whether mild, moderate or excessive , they are based on ignorance and bring certain pain. Their opposites should be cultivated. Interp

Pada 2, Sutra 33 Sanskrit Verse Vitarka-baadhane pratipaksa-bhaavanam Translation When the mind is disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite ones should be cultivated. Interpretation When the mind is assailed with thoughts contradictory to the principles of the Yamas and Niyamas, the Yogin should cultivate opposite thoughts that are aligned to the Yamas and Niyamas. This is called self-culture and going contrary to the grains of our undesirable habits and tendencies which hav

Pada 2, Sutra 32 Sanskrit Verse Shauca-santosa-tapah-svaadhyaayeshvara-pranidhaanaani niyamaah Translation Shauca—Purity, Santosa—Contentment, Tapas—Austerity, Svaadhyaaya—self-study (which leads to knowledge of the Self), Ishvara-pranidhaana—Surrender to the Lord are the Niyamas, the internal observances. Interpretation Whereas the Yamas are restraints enjoined on the Yogi in order to not be a disturbance to others and be in harmony with the world, the Niyamas are internally