Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.204

c16.204

*Abhyāsa.* The aim is to inhibit those activities (*Vṛittis*) of the mind (Chitta) which are dictated by *Raja* or *Tama*. When the Chitta is thus rendered free of its vṛittis (*avṛittika*), it attains a state of equipoise (*sthiti*), flowing on in undisturbed calm (praśānta-vāhitā) under the influence of *Sattva-guṇa*. To achieve this mental *sthiti*, effort (*prayatna*) is needed. *Prayatna* implies (a) *Vīrya* (energy) and (b) *Utsāha*, enthusiasm, persevering struggle. This *prayatna* or effort is to be directed towards the strenuous pursuit (*anushṭhāna*) of the external and internal practices laid down in Yoga, to be explained below. An old text states: "*Ichchhā* (desire) is created by knowledge (*ātmajanyā*); *Kṛiti* (prayatna = effort) by *Ichchhā*; *Cheshtā* (bodily exertion) by *Kṛiti*; and *Kriyā* by *Cheshtā*." Thus *Abhyāsa* means the energetic and enthusiastic pursuit of the practices enjoined by Yoga.