Chapter-1, Sutra12

Patanjali Yogasutra 1.12

(Non-attachment)

अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः

By practice and non-attachment, those (modifications of the mind) are restrained.

The meaning of this Sutra is that the fluctuations of the mind, which are the cause of suffering and ignorance, can be controlled by two means: practice and non-attachment. Practice refers to the repeated and sustained effort to cultivate a calm and focused state of mind, such as through meditation, yoga, or ethical conduct. Non-attachment refers to the detachment from the objects of desire, such as pleasure, fame, wealth, or power, which create attachment, aversion, and delusion in the mind. By practicing and non-attaching, one can gradually overcome the influence of the mind's modifications and attain the state of yoga, which is the cessation of the mind's movements and the realization of one's true nature.

Similar verses from Vedic texts, that convey the same or related ideas are:

Yogavashishta 6.2.215.6:

मोक्षोपायानिमान्पुण्यान्प्रत्यक्षानुभवार्थदान्|

बालोप्यकर्ण्य तत्ज्ञात्वं याति का त्वादृशे कथा ||

Having learnt the methods of liberation, expounded in this work which brings about direct intuition,

even a child comes to realize the Self.

This verse implies that the methods of Realization taught in Yogavashishta, which include practice and non-attachment, are so effective and clear that even a child can understand and apply them and attain the Highest Goal of Self-Realization.

Bhagavad Gita 6.35:

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् |

अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते ||

The Blessed Lord said:

Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed, the mind is difficult to control and restless; but by practice, O son of Kunti, and by detachment, it is restrained.

This verse echoes the same idea as the Patanjali Yogasutra 1.12, that the mind, which is the source of bondage and suffering, can be controlled by practice and detachment, which are the means to attain yoga.

Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.6:

परीक्ष्य लोकान्कर्मचितान्ब्राह्मणो निर्वेदमायान्नास्त्यकृतः कृतेन | तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत्समित्पाणिः श्रोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम् ||

Having examined the worlds attained by karma, the brahmana becomes dispassionate, realizing that there is nothing eternal in them; for the sake of knowing that, he should approach a guru, with sacrificial faggots in hand, who is well-versed in the scriptures and established in Brahman.

This verse suggests that the seeker of liberation should develop non-attachment to the results of karma, which are impermanent and unsatisfactory, and seek the Knowledge of the Supreme Reality, which is eternal and blissful, from a qualified teacher, who can guide him to the practice of self-inquiry and meditation.