316 Yama Niyamas Solutions to practical problems Vitarka badha Part I

Synopsis of lesson 316:
Vitarka Badha and Pratiksha Bhavana:
More the virtuous and noble, more the obstacles.
Yamas and Niyamas are noble practices and the obstacles are in plethora.
Vitarka comes in a strong way for Ahimsa etc and Shaucha etc.
Can encounter our ‘fevers’ ( himsa, asatya, steya, ashaucha, asantosha etc etc.) which are very strong infections. Patanjali mentions the measures to prevent and counter these. Pratiksha bhavana.
Eg., we give antibiotics to save one from infection, likewise the bhavana or forces which will save one from the attacks of the fevers.
Patanjali scores over other normative philosophies. They only caution about the dos and don’ts. Patanjali does not only suggest dos and don’ts but gives a map of the extent of the infection and measures to counter them.
Natural propensities and tendencies give lot of scope for Vitarka Badha.
Patanjali not just advises the Yamas and Niyamas, but he expects that these to be adhered to on the plane of vows. Anu or maha; small or great.
At some stage in life these must get priority and should be able to take the grade of Vrata Vaikhalya.
Reformation possible only when the vows are practiced conscientiously. Common men don’t bother about violating the noble principles. It does not hurt. But Patanjali advises us to keep the vows. Our conscience and consciousness must prick when they are violated. It must hurt. Otherwise, no chance of reformation.
If a principle is maintained as a Vrata, there will be the effort to fight the antagoniser. Hence one should not get derailed from the principles. One should stick to the vows.
Bhavana and fervour behind practicing the vows.
There must be Pratiksha Bhavana. The opposite view to the antagonisers.
One who is wild brutish and profane has no chance of reformation. But that is not mentioned/ implied in the sutra.
Basically must not be prone to Steya and Himsa etc.
There will be a Vitarka Badha.
Suppose a person enrols at a Yoga institute. Some asanas, pranayama and kriyas are taught. That’s the commencement today. But classically that’s not how it was. There must be Satvik Aahara Vihar Aachara Vichaara before the real yoga commences. Till then the Yama and Niyama are ethical principles to just know about .
We must have Dharmya Pravritti. This will come with the chatushya of Aahara vihaara, Aachaar- Vichaara.
Vitarka Badha can affect any and everyone, even those on a higher hierarchy of yoga. Anadi Vaasanas are so strong that they bother.
Snat Shiromani Sri. Tukarama admits that day and night he is in a battle to counter the Baadhas.The more one scales up spirituality, the more difficult the path. Spiritual path is not a goody- goody path. One needs to be a veer Purusha and needs super human courage. Allurement of spirituality is itself a Maya. This reality must be accepted.
Yogis of different levels struggle against these problems. Celestial beings will allure the yogis by offering celestial- hood.
Vibhuti Pada- 3.51: yogis will develop ego and pride that he managed to refuse the allurement of the celestial beings.
So, there is danger at both ends.
Vyasa- when yogi is in Brahma Vritti, he will be agitated in Chitta due to the allurements. He feels like harming the person who creates obstacles. He gets desirous of coveting and hurting. His reactions are very very strong. Krodha, Lobha, Moha poorvaka devastations are great. Examples of great Tapasvis having created great havoc, eg., life of Vishwamitra.
Yama and Niyama Vitarka.
If we tend to become callous and neglectful towards our yogic practices, then we are not potentials for reformation.