Yoga for the Pursuit of Excellence

Excellence is the visible expression of divinity in the worldly plane. The orderly establishment discussed in the previous section sets the platform for the pursuit of excellence. Maintaining a connection with divinity is the essential requirement for the pursuit of excellence. Yoga is the establishment of this connection.

Yunjanah prathamam manastatvaya savitadhiyah
Agnerjyotirnniparya pruthivya adhabharata

One should anchor his mind in eternal principles, align his intellect with the principle of savita (the sun who keeps giving without taking anything and who remains without being affected by the universe it sustains), and purify the fires of his passions to make them fully reflect the effulgence of inner divinity.

Yuktena manasa vayam devasya savituh save suvargeyaya shaktya

The rays of dharma emanate from savita. While pursuing these rays one employs his power for the conquest of the planes of excellence.

Yuktavaya manasa devan suvaryato dhiyadivam
Bruhad jyotih karishyatah savita prasuvati tan

Devas are immortal abstractions of ideals. The mind is to be focused to perceive devas, to derive lofty ideals for its operation. The inner sky of the intellect is to be cultivated to fill it with the heavenly presence of devas. Then the inner space will become an enormous source of energy. It will then act as savita, from whom the rays of dharma emanate.

Yunjate mana uta yunjate dhiyo vipraviprasya bruhato vipashchitah
Vihotra dadhe vayunavideka inmahee devasya savituh paritushtati

While living in this world one has to go through the performance of karmas. If one commits his mind to idealism, and makes the inner space of intellect as the abode of ideals, he is not trapped by the performance of karmas. He remains unaffected by the karmas. He gracefully wears the unique nature of the essence of all life forces. He is blessed with the inexhaustible energy of savita.

Yujyevaam brahmapoorvam namobhirvvishloka etupathyevasooreh
Shrunvantu vishve amrutasya putrah aaye dhamani divyani tasthuh

A wise man collects himself together by his dedication to the primordial principle of Brahman. In that collected state whatever he says or does is an elucidation of the glory of Brahman. For him whatever is there in this universe is a manifestation of Brahman. He keeps hearing the voices of the products of the immortal Brahman everywhere. Where ever he chooses to remain he occupies the seat endowed by the divine spirit.

Agniryatrabhimathyate vayuryatradhirudhvate
Somo yatratirichyate tatra samjayate manah

The profound peace of the principle of Brahman can not be challenged by any fire of passion. The stillness of the principle of Brahman cannot be disturbed by the flow of any life force. The elixir of the happiness of the highest order keeps flowing from it continuously. The mind is to be collected to focus on this principle of Brahman.

Savitaprasavena jushate brahmapoorvyam
Tatra yonim krunavase nahite poortakamakshipat

The primordial principle of Brahman is to be propitiated by the realization of the outflow of savita. When one identifies this as the ultimate cause the rituals of karmas performed by him in this world will not lead to bondage. All his actions will be spontaneously consummated without any residue.

Trirunnatam stapya samam shareeram hrudeendriyani manasa sanniveshya
Brahmodupena pratarena vidvan srotamsi sarvani bhayavahani

The physical systems are composed essentially of the three primary qualities … abstract essence, motion and gross manifestation. The balancing of these qualities gives the equilibrium of a stable physical system. After achieving this tranquil state the mind is to be focused to establish the proper connection between the organs and the inner space of the heart. Unbalance between the three qualities is the cause of all turbulence in this world of transactions. The principle of Brahman is the guide to overcome this turbulence. An enlightened person uses the principle of Brahman as a boat to overcome the turbulence to achieve the state of tranquility.

Pranan prapeedyehasamyuktachetasah ksheene prane nasikayochvasitah
Dushtashvayuktamiva vahamenam vidvan mano dharayeto/pramattah

The currents of life forces keep pulling the mind in all directions. If the mind is to be made to work towards a goal the currents of life forces are to be harnessed to integrate the movements caused by them to lead to the ultimate goal. The life forces provide the energy to move upwards towards the goal. The life forces wane when the energy is used up. This waning is to be countered by carefully drawing in an appropriate amount of energy from the environment. A wise man acts like a responsible charioteer who keeps his chariot on course by controlling untamed horses harnessed to his chariot. He keeps a perpetual vigil to see that his mind remains on course.

Same suchou sharkaravahnivalukavivrjite shabdajalasharayadibhi
Mano/nukoole na tu chakshupeedane guhanivatashrayane prayojayet

For his spiritual journey he chooses an appropriate abode, which is level, clean and free from rough gravel, fire, dust, unpleasant sounds and dampness. It is an abode that harmonizes with his mind and does not offer unproductive challenges to his sense organs. Such a harmonious environment is free from rogue currents of life forces. It provides a harmonious set up to keep the mind under control.

Nihara dhooarkanilanalanam khadyoda vidyut sphatika shareeram
Etani roopani purassarani brahmanyabhivyakti karani yoge

In a tranquil and free mind the principle of Brahman unravels itself. It is seen as the blurring of the sharp lines that define forms. It is seen as the wisps of smoke that herald the performance of yajnas. It is seen as the presence of savita (from whom the rays of all processes emanate). It is seen as the solid transparency of glass. It is seen as the functioning of a clear and tranquil mind. In the practice of yoga any of these events heralds the proximity of the principle of Brahman.

Pruthyaptejo/nilakhe samuthite panchatmake yogagune pravrutte
Na tasya rogo na jara na mrutyuh praptasya yogagnimayam shareeram

The solidity of earth, the moistness of sensibilities, the fires of passion, the currents of life forces and the emptiness of the sky…when these five elements are invoked different qualities corresponding to them get activated. The practice of yoga is for the invocation of the five elements to activate the right qualities so that the physical body is freed from disease, aging and death. The body of a yogi emanates the brilliance of the fire of yoga.

Laghutvamarogyamalolupatvam varnaprasadam svarasoushdhavashcha
Gandhah shubho mootrapureeshamalpam yogapravruttim prathamam vadanti

When the yogic fire is lighted all factors that used to inhibit upward movement are removed. One feels perfectly healthy as the unbalances that used to contribute to diseases are not there any more. One feels generous as all the enmities that used to contribute to jealousies have been removed. One stands outs in one’s own category as all ambiguities that makes one’s presence subdued has been removed. His voice commands attention as the sounds uttered by him is filled with meaning. He emits a pleasant smell as his very presence spells harmony all around. The emission of waste products is minimized as he operates with a very high degree of productivity.

Kincha yathaiva bimbam mrudayopalabdhvam tejomayam bhrajate tat sudhantam
Tadvatma tatvam prasameekshyadehi ekah krutartho bhavate veetashokah

When an idol is covered with impurities its divinity is not palpable. When the impurities are removed by appropriate processes the idol shines brilliantly radiating divinity. Similarly when the underlying principle is masked by mundane concerns one remains alienated from the inner spirit. When one refines oneself to perceive the inner principle of oneself as his essence he unifies himself with everything in the manifested universe. He spontaneously attains all purusharthas and transcends all sorrows.

Yadatmatvena tu brahmatvam deepopamenehauktah prapashyet
Ajam dhruvam sarvatatvairvvishudham jnatva devam muchyate sarvapashai

The entire manifested universe is known through the essential principle lying dormant in all beings. A yogi who establishes connection with the inner principle spontaneously knows everything in the manifested universe through that connection. This principle is sanatana. It had no beginning and it remains always without any modification. It is the most abstract of all principles. By realizing this principle a yogi gets liberated from all bondages.

Esha ha devah pradisho/nu sarvah poorvoha jata sa u garbha antah
Sa eva jatah sa janishyamanah pratyangajanan tishthati sarvatomukha

This inner principle is the ideal that provides directions for everything in this universe. It preludes all births. It remains dormant in the processes that bring out beings. It is all that are born and are yet to be born. It resides in all beings and expresses itself through all beings.

Yo devo agnou yo apsu yo vishvambhuvanamavivesha
Ya oushadheeshu yo vanaspateeshu tasmai devaya namo namah

This ideal is in the fires of passion and the water of sensibilities. It pervades the entire universe. It is there in the grand structures that shape the universe as well as the gentle correcting forces that prevent it from running astray. Surrender to that ideal.