Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.163

c16.163

‘**Yoga-bhūmi.**’ The aim of Yoga is to lead the mind away from the first three conditions which are not congenial to concentration and fix it on the last two states which constitute the *Yoga-bhūmi*, the plane favourable to the practice of Yoga or concentration. Concentration or *samādhāna* of Chitta is possible in all states (*sārva-bhauma*), including the first three. For instance, “a Jayadratha blinded by hostility to the Pāṇḍavas was yet able to concentrate on worship of Śiva. One may also concentrate on pleasures, on wealth or women.” But such *samādhi* is short-lived, not stabilized, liable to be disturbed by distractions and gusts of passion. It is the *ekāgra* state in which the mind is intent on an object which leads to *saṁprajñāta samādhi*. It is so called because in that state “the object of concentrated contemplation is directly apprehended” (saṁprajñāyate sākshāt kriyate dheyasvarūpamatra). The object of such contemplation can only be an object to which the mind will cling with a longing, as the bee seeks honey. Such object is supreme truth or knowledge. The mind that has once tasted Truth will not have any liking for untruth. Therefore, “concentrated contemplation brings to light the ultimate meanings and values (*sadbhūtaṁ arthaṁ pradyotayati*), causes sorrows to dwindle, loosens the bonds of ction, cuts at its springs or roots, and leads to the next stage of supra-conscious contemplation (nirodha-samādhi = asaṁprajñāta samādhi)."