6.3 Sadhana Pada Part 2: Ashtanga Yoga & Bahiranga Sadhana

6.3 Sadhana Pada Part 2: Ashtanga Yoga & Bahiranga Sadhana

In the second half of Sadhana Pada (PYS 2.28–2.55), Maharshi Patanjali presents the world-renowned framework of Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs of Yoga). Patanjali explains the primary objective of practicing these limbs in PYS 2.28:

"योगाङ्गानुष्ठानादशुद्धिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिरा विवेकख्यातेः"
(Yoganganusthanad ashuddhiksaye jnanadiptir a vivekakhyateh — PYS 2.28)

Through the sustained practice of the limbs of Yoga, physical, mental, and karmic impurities (Ashuddhi) are destroyed, causing the light of spiritual wisdom (Jnana-dipti) to shine forth up to the attainment of unbroken discriminative discernment (Vivekakhyati).

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The Eight Limbs of Yoga (PYS 2.29)

Patanjali lists the eight limbs in PYS 2.29:

"यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि"
(Yama-niyama-asanapranayama-pratyahara-dharanadhyana-samadhayo 'stavangani — PYS 2.29)

These eight limbs are broadly categorized into two major stages:

1. Bahiranga Sadhana (External Disciplines): The first five limbs—Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara. They purify the individual's social interactions, physical body, vital energy, and sensory organs.
2. Antaranga Sadhana (Internal Disciplines): The last three limbs—Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. Expounded in Chapter 3 (Vibhuti Pada), they directly refine consciousness and intellect.

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1. Yamas (Social Ethics & Universal Vows — PYS 2.30)

Yamas represent social restraints and moral codes governing interactions with the external world. Patanjali lists five Yamas in PYS 2.30:

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Non-injury and non-harming to any living being in thought, word, or deed.
2. Satya (Truthfulness): Absolute truthfulness in speech and thought, aligned with the ultimate welfare of all beings.
3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Abstention from stealing, taking, or coveting that which belongs to others.
4. Brahmacharya (Continence / Sensory Restraint): Chastity, celibacy, or moderation in sexual energy, directing vital force toward spiritual realization.
5. Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness / Non-greed): Freedom from unnecessary accumulation, greed, or attachment to material possessions.

The Mahavrata Concept (PYS 2.31)

"जातिदेशकालसमयानवच्छिन्नाः सार्वभौमा महाव्रतम्"
(Jati-desa-kala-samayanavacchinnah sarvabhauma mahavratam — PYS 2.31)

When these five Yamas are practiced universally across all planes (Sarvabhauma), without being conditioned or limited by:

• Jati (Birth / Class / Caste)
• Desha (Place / Country)
• Kala (Time / Epoch)
• Samaya (Circumstance / Custom)

They become the Mahavrata—the Great Universal Vow that admits of no exceptions.

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2. Niyamas (Personal Observances & Disciplines — PYS 2.32)

Niyamas are personal ethical observances that purify the body, speech, and mind. Patanjali lists five Niyamas in PYS 2.32:

1. Shaucha (Purity / Cleanliness): External physical cleanliness (Bahya Shaucha) via water/hygiene and internal mental purification (Antar Shaucha) via removing mental afflictions.
2. Santosha (Contentment): Joyful acceptance of one's current circumstances, free from craving.
3. Tapas (Austerity / Discipline): Endurance of dualities and burning away of impurities.
4. Svadhyaya (Self-Study): Study of liberating scriptures and chanting of sacred mantras.
5. Ishvarapranidhana (Surrender to Ishvara): Complete dedication of all actions to God.

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Results of Yamas and Niyamas (PYS 2.35–2.45)

Patanjali outlines specific, verifiable spiritual attainments (Siddhis / Fruits) when each Yama and Niyama is perfectly mastered:

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Pratipaksha Bhavanam: Neutralizing Negative Thoughts

When a practitioner is disturbed by unwholesome, negative thoughts or temptations (Vitarkas), Patanjali prescribes the technique of Pratipaksha Bhavanam (PYS 2.33):

"वितर्कबाधने प्रतिपक्षभावनम्" (Vitarkabadhane pratipaksabhavanam — PYS 2.33)

Mechanics of Vitarkas (PYS 2.34)

• Nature of Vitarkas: Negative thoughts such as violence (Himsa), untruth, or desire.
• Three Modes of Execution:
  1. Krita: Direct personal execution of negative actions.
  2. Karita: Instigating or causing others to execute negative actions.
  3. Anumodita: Approving, condoning, or endorsing negative actions done by others.
• Root Motives: Caused by Greed (Lobha), Anger (Krodha), or Delusion (Moha).
• Intensity Levels: Mild (Mridu), Medium (Madhya), or Intense (Adhimatra).
• Pratipaksha Remedy: Constantly reflecting upon the truth that these negative thoughts yield endless pain and ignorance (Duhkhasnānantajñānaphala iti pratipakṣabhāvanam).

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3. Asana: Definition, Perfection & Result

Patanjali provides the foundational definition of posture in PYS 2.46:

"स्थिरसुखमासनम्" (Sthirasukham asanam — PYS 2.46)

Asana is any posture that is simultaneously steady (Sthira) and comfortable / joyful (Sukham).

Perfection of Asana (PYS 2.47)

"प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम्" (Prayatna-saithilyananta-samapattibhyam — PYS 2.47)

Posture is perfected through two simultaneous techniques:

1. Prayatna-shaithilya: Relaxation of effortless tension and physical effort.
2. Ananta-samapatti: Merging and concentrating the mind upon the Infinite (Ananta / the cosmic serpent Adishesha).

Result of Asana Mastery (PYS 2.48)

"ततो द्वन्द्वानभिघातः" (Tato dvandvanabhighatah — PYS 2.48) Upon mastering posture, the practitioner becomes completely unassailable by dualities (Dvandvas) such as heat and cold, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor.

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4. Pranayama: Definition & Four Types

Patanjali defines Pranayama in PYS 2.49:

"तस्मिन सति श्वासप्रश्वासयोर्गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामः"
(Tasmin sati svasaprasvasayor gatividcheda pranayamah — PYS 2.49)

Once posture (Asana) is established, Pranayama is the conscious restriction, regulation, and interruption (Gati-vichheda) of the flow of inhalation (Shvasa) and exhalation (Prashvasa).

                      ┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
                      │     4 TYPES OF PRANAYAMA (PYS 2.50-51)   │
                      └────────────────────┬────────────────────┘
                                           │
 ┌──────────────────────┬──────────────────┴───┬──────────────────────┬──────────────────────┐
 │ 1. Bahya Vritti      │ 2. Abhyantara Vritti │ 3. Stambha Vritti    │ 4. Bahyabhyantara... │
 │ (External Retention/ │ (Internal Retention/ │ (Sudden Retention/   │ (4th Type: Transcen- │
 │ Exhalation Focus)    │ Inhalation Focus)    │ Effortless Stop)     │ dent Retention)      │
 └──────────────────────┴──────────────────────┴──────────────────────┴──────────────────────┘

The Four Types of Pranayama (PYS 2.50–2.51)

1. Bahya Vritti: External modification—holding retention after complete exhalation (Rechaka-kumbhaka).
2. Abhyantara Vritti: Internal modification—holding retention after complete inhalation (Puraka-kumbhaka).
3. Stambha Vritti: Sudden, effortless suspension of breath without prior inhalation or exhalation (Kevala-kumbhaka).
4. Bahyabhyantara-vishayakshepi (The Fourth Type — PYS 2.51): Retention that effortlessly transcends both external and internal spheres, occurring naturally after long practice.

• Parameters: Regulated by Space (Desha), Time (Kala), and Number/Count (Samkhya), becoming Long (Dirgha) and Subtle (Sukshma).
• Results of Pranayama (PYS 2.52–2.53):
  • Destruction of the veil covering inner spiritual illumination (Tatah ksiyate prakasavaranam).
  • The mind becomes fully fit and prepared for concentration (Dharanasu ca yogyata manasah).

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5. Pratyahara: Definition & Result

Pratyahara is the fifth limb and the bridge between Bahiranga and Antaranga Sadhana. Patanjali defines Pratyahara in PYS 2.54:

"स्वविषयासम्प्रयोगे चित्तस्य स्वरूपानुकार इवेन्द्रियाणां प्रत्याहारः"
(Svavisayasamprayoge cittasya svarupanukara ivendriyanam pratyaharah — PYS 2.54)

• Definition: Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) occurs when the sensory organs (Indriyas) detach from their respective external objects (Sva-vishaya) and mimic or blend into the quiet nature of the mind (Chitta) itself.
• Analogy: Just as worker bees quietly settle down when the queen bee stops moving, the sensory organs instantly quiet down when the mind turns inward.

Supreme Result of Pratyahara (PYS 2.55)

"ततः परमा वश्यतेन्द्रियाणाम्" (Tatah parama vasyatendriyanam — PYS 2.55) From Pratyahara arises supreme, complete control and mastery over the sensory organs (Indriyas).

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Summary of Exam-Key Points

• Bahiranga Sadhana consists of the first 5 limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara.
• 5 Yamas: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha. Become Mahavrata when unconditioned by Jati, Desha, Kala, Samaya (PYS 2.31).
• 5 Niyamas: Shaucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishvarapranidhana.
• Pratipaksha Bhavanam (PYS 2.33) counters Vitarkas (done directly/Krita, caused/Karita, approved/Anumodita).
• Asana = Sthirasukham asanam (PYS 2.46); perfected via Prayatna-shaithilya & Ananta-samapatti (PYS 2.47); conquers Dvandvas (PYS 2.48).
• Pranayama = interruption of breath flow (PYS 2.49); has 4 types; destroys Prakashavaranam and prepares mind for Dharana.
• Pratyahara = sensory withdrawal (PYS 2.54); yields supreme sensory mastery (Parama vashyata indriyanam — PYS 2.55).