II. Sādhana Pāda · Fruits of the restraints (2.35–2.39)
2.37 · Jewels Come Near
When not stealing is established, all jewels come near.
Word by word
- asteya
- not stealing
- pratiṣṭhāyām
- when firmly established
- sarva
- all
- ratna
- jewels
- upasthānam
- coming near, presenting themselves
Where it fits
Third in the order of 2.30. The sign of established non-stealing is that wealth comes to the one who no longer takes it. Vyāsa's whole comment is a single short sentence: jewels come to him from every direction (Woods p. 186). Chastity follows (2.38).
Reading
Asteya, not stealing, is the third restraint, and Vyāsa's whole comment on its sign is one line: jewels from every direction come near. It is a paradox: the one who no longer takes finds wealth arriving. Perhaps such a person is trusted with it. Perhaps someone who wants nothing that isn't theirs notices how much has already been given. Stealing includes more than objects: time, credit and attention can all be taken.
Vyāsa
“Jewels from every direction come to him.”
Vyāsa's Yoga-bhāṣya, the oldest commentary. New translation from the Sanskrit, with reference to Woods (1914), p. 186.
Practice
Today, take nothing that isn't freely given, including credit for another person's idea and minutes of another person's time. Notice what you are given instead.
A question to sit with
What are you taking that isn't yours?