II. Sādhana Pāda · Fruits of the restraints (2.35–2.39)
2.35 · Where Hostility Ends
When non-violence is established, hostility is given up in that person's presence.
Word by word
- ahiṃsā
- non-violence
- pratiṣṭhāyām
- when firmly established
- tat-saṃnidhau
- in that person's presence
- vaira
- hostility, enmity
- tyāgaḥ
- giving up
Where it fits
Vyāsa links this to 2.34: once harmful thoughts can no longer sprout, the power that follows is a sign of the yogi's success (Woods p. 185). Each restraint now gets its sign, in the order of 2.30, starting with non-violence. Readers differ on how literally to take these fruits.
Reading
Each restraint, once firmly established, shows a sign, and non-violence comes first. Pratiṣṭhā, firmly established, means the restraint is no longer an effort but has become one's nature. The image of natural enemies, snake and mongoose, cat and mouse, setting aside their hostility near such a person is Vācaspati's. One way to read this today: in ordinary life we know the effect too. Some people lower the temperature of every room they enter, simply by carrying no harm in them, and others soften without knowing why.
Vyāsa
“When [harmful thoughts] can no longer arise in him, the power this brings shows that the yogi has succeeded. … [This] happens in all living beings.”
Vyāsa's Yoga-bhāṣya, the oldest commentary. New translation from the Sanskrit, with reference to Woods (1914), p. 185–186.
Practice
Enter one tense space today, such as a meeting or a family meal, having decided to harm no one in word, tone or expression. Notice whether the room changes.
A question to sit with
What does your presence bring into a room?