Yogasutra 13-28

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namaha

13. Tatra stitathou yatno abhyasaha

Meaning : Abhyasa means the struggle/practice/sadhana to be situated in 'Tat' (that), which is swaroopa (one's own nature) until that state becomes natural.

14. sa tu deergha kaala nairantaryasatkaara sevito dridhabhoomi

Meaning : Abhyasa when done nirantara(continuously), deerghakala (for a long time) is called Dridhabhoomi.

If we take meditation as a sadhana, if we do 15 minutes of dhyana each day it is sufficient, rather than doing it for 3 hrs one day and rest of the week take off. One has to persevere in the path.

15. Drishta anushravika vishaya vitrishnasya vaseekara sangnya vairagyam

Meaning : Vairagya is the second tool, first being Abhyasa. Vairagya means non-attachment to the delusion caused by the inputs of senses.

The contact of senses with the objective world will keep on sending inputs to mind. Mind will start thinking of objects, and subsequently desire raises. We cant and shouldnt stop the inputs of senses. But we can develop non-attachment to the objects thus nipping the germ of desire in the bud. How can we have non-attachment ?

It is again Viveka (discrimination of right from wrong knowledge) that should be used in tandem with Vairagya.

16. Tatparam purusha khyater Guna vaitrishnam

Meaning: When viveka + vairagya is properly practiced, non-attachment is extended to the domain of Guna. A person is made up of satwa (Good), rajas (Bad), tamo(ugly) gunas. If one can raise oneself above these 3 gunas and be situated in his swaroopa, such a person is known as Parampurusha.

17. Vitarka vichara ananda asmita anugamat samprajnata

Meaning : Samprajnata is achieved when a person crosses the four achievements. The 4 achievements are

(a) Vitarka (A state which still has some doubts)

(b) Vichara (Contemplation or meditation)

(c) Ananda (Blissful)

(d) Asmita (Awareness)

18. Virama pratyaya abhyasa purva samskara shesho anyaha

Meaning : There is a different state of mind to the one described in previous sutra, where only the samskara (residual impressions on mind) is left.

19. Shradha, Veerya, Smriti, Samadhi, Prajna, Purvaka Itaresham

Meaning : A spiritual aspirant should have enormous belief and faith in the way, should strive with energy, Remember what is told by Guru, Have balance of mind, Prajna (consciousness, awareness) to gain the Yoga.