Yoga and Total Health — November 2017

This Sutra flows from the previous one. The previous Sutra introduced the mystic

syllable ‘O m ’. This Sutra is concerned with its meaning and usage.

The idea is to remember the word repeatedly, while at the same time reflecting

on its meaning. The true significance of the word ‘Om’ can be realised only when its

continuous repetition is carried out and is accompanied simultaneously by certain

feelings and thoughts. Practice of one without the other will not give the desired

effect and hence would not help achieve the objective of reaching a Higher state.

It is only the particular combination of the sound ‘Om’ which can create such an

effect. Other sounds cannot do that. There is something very intrinsic about this

particular combination.

In reality, this concept has never been understood well. We have never really

tried to understand that a sound affects the mind. In this case, the attempt is to try

and learn to influence the mind by using this particular sound.

But while the statement is very simple, it is beyond us to practice it because of

our inability to hold our attention on anything beyond a few moments. Due to our

multiple distractions and hurried approach, our understanding and knowledge

remains poor. This is contrary to the Yogic person whose slow and focussed

approach helps create a good understanding.

Chapter 1.28

tHhk:tby{efjgd\ ..!=@*..

Tajjapas Tadarthabhavanam

he Yoga Sutras

T

Samar Chauhan

• A Perspective

of Patanjali