34 Light on Yogarooting out of malice. When the mind bears malice towards none, it is
filled with charity towards all. He who has learnt to control his tongue
has attained self-control in a great measure. When such a person
speaks he will be heard with respect and attention. His words will be
remembered, for they will be good and true.
When one who is established in truth prays with a pure heart, then
things he really needs come to him when they are really needed: he
does not have to run after them. The man firmly established in truth
gets the fruit of his actions without a!'parently doing anything. God,
the source of all truth, supplies his needs and looks after his welfare.Asteya. The desire to possess and enjoy what another has, drives a
person to do evil deeds. From this desire spring the urge to steal and
the urge to covet. Asteya (a=not, steya=stealing), or non-stealing
includes not only taking what belongs to another without permission,
but also using something for a different purpose to that intended, or
beyond the time permitted by its owner. It thus includes misappropria
tion, breach of trust, mismanagement and misuse. The yogi reduces
his physical needs to the minimum, believing that if he gathers things
he does not really need, he is a thief. While other men crave for wealth,
power, fame or enjoyment, the yogi has one craving and that is to adore
the Lord. Freedom from craving enables one to ward off great tempta
tions. Craving muddies the stream of tranquillity. It makes men base
and vile and cripples them. He who obeys the commandment Thou
shalt not steal, becomes a trusted repository of all treasures.Brahmacharya. According to the dictionary brahmacharya means the
life of celibacy, religious study and self-restraint. It is thought that
the loss of semen leads to death and its retention to life. By the
preservation of semen the yogi's body develops a sweet smell. So long
as it is retained, there is no fear of death. Hence the injunction that it
should be preserved by concentrated effort of the mind. The concept
of brahmacharya is not one of negation, forced austerity and prohibi
tion. According to Sankaracharya, a brahmachar1 (one who observes
brahmacharya) is a man who is engrossed in the study of the sacred
Vedic lore, constantly moves in Brahman and knows that all exists in
Brahman. In other words, one who sees divinity in all is a
brahmacharl. Pataiijali, however, lays stress on continence of the body,
speech and mind. This does not mean that the philosophy of Yoga is
meant only for celibates. Brahmacharya has little to do with whether
one is a bachelor or married and living the life of a householder. One
has to translate the higher aspects of Brahmacharya in one's daily living.
It is not necessary for one's salvation to stay unmarried and without