Pada 2, Sutra 40 Sanskrit Verse Shaucaat svaanga-jugupsaa parair asansargah Translation Due to purity, there arises within the Yogin detachment from one’s own and others’ bodies. Interpretation Mens sana in corpore sano. A healthy/sound mind in a healthy/sound body. That ultimately we are not the body is not a contradiction to this injunction. We are a Spirit Soul having a human experience in a material body. The body is therefore the Temple of the Spirit Soul and should

Pada 2, Sutra 39 Sanskrit Verse Aparigraha-sthairye janma-kathantaa-sambodhah Translation Upon a foundation of non-possessiveness, the understanding of the wherefore of birth. Interpretation The foundation of non-possessiveness is not to be possessed or attached to any possessions. The question we should ask ourselves is: do we possess our possessions or do they possess us? Everything is here for our use and enjoyment and not for our misuse or abuse. The goal of life is no

Pada 2, Sutra 38 Sanskrit Verse Brahmacarya-pratisthaayaam veerya-laabhah Translation Upon being established in sexual continence, vigor is gained. Interpretation The ordinary interpretation of Brahmacharya is sexual continence. Yoga looks at conserving sexual energy which Nature has gifted us for procreation: the propagation of the specie and the advent of the embodiment of a Spirit Soul to experience tangible transcendence (or TANgible TRAnscendence which is a very apt de

Pada 2, Sutra 37 Sanskrit Verse Asteya-pratisthaayaam sarva-ratnopasthaanam Translation Upon being established in non-stealing, prosperity comes to the Yogin. Interpretation We only have a right to what we have earned. This is applicable at a multitude of levels, whether material, intellectual, personal or spiritual. Ultimately nothing belongs to us therefore greed is pure folly. Everything has been given to us for our own use and not for our misuse or abuse. This not onl

Pada 2, Sutra 36 Sanskrit Verse Satya-pratisthaayaam kriyaa-phalaashrayatvam Translation Upon being established in truth, the Yogin’s words comes to fruition. Interpretation ‘There is no religion higher than truth’ is the motto of the Theosophical Society and is indeed the essence of Sanatana Dharma, the Perennial Philosophy and hence the central theme of the Vedas. In fact it is said that Rta, the Universal Order results from Satya or Truth as it regulates and enables the o