Patanjali Yogasutra 3.23
मैत्र्यादिषु बलानि || ३.२३ ||
"Through samyama (focused meditation) on friendship, compassion, and similar qualities, the yogi gains strength."
In this Sutra, Patanjali highlights the practice of samyama on positive qualities such as maitri (friendliness or loving kindness), karuna
(compassion), and others. By meditating deeply on these virtues, the yogi develops inner strength or balani—an inherent force that strengthens one's resolve and ability to embody these qualities in everyday life. The term balani refers not only to physical strength but to moral, mental, and spiritual strength, which allows the practitioner to remain steadfast in their interactions with others.
In the context of the broader Yogasutra, this Sutra is placed within the section that deals with vibhutis (supernatural powers or perfections) that arise from the practice of samyama. The emphasis here, however, is on the subtle transformation of the practitioner. Meditating on positive emotions fosters not only their presence but also their corresponding power, enabling the practitioner to maintain an equilibrium and project these virtues outward, thereby influencing their environment and relationships positively.
The implication is that virtues like friendliness and compassion are not just passive feelings but can be cultivated to a point where they become powerful forces within the yogi's Consciousness. Through this focused practice, the yogi's internal state aligns with the universal principles of harmony and compassion, reinforcing their mental and emotional fortitude and creating an unshakable foundation for further spiritual growth.
Comparative Verses from Other Vedic Texts:
Maitrayaniya Upanishad 6.8
मैत्री करुणा मुदितोपेक्षाणां सुखदुःखपुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां भावनातः चित्तप्रसादनम् |
"Through the cultivation of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity towards those who are happy, suffering, virtuous, or unvirtuous, the mind attains tranquility."
This verse from the Maitrayaniya Upanishad echoes the concept of meditating on virtues like loving-kindness and compassion to stabilize the mind. Here, the Upanishad emphasizes chitta-prasadanam (the purification and calming of the mind), showing a similar outcome to Patanjali’s idea of gaining strength through focusing on these qualities.
Bhagavad Gita 12.13-14
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्र: करुण एव च |
निर्ममो निरहङ्कार: समदु:खसुख: क्षमी ||१३||
सन्तुष्ट: सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चय: |
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्त: स मे प्रिय: ||१४||
"He who is free from malice towards all beings, friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, balanced in pleasure and pain, forgiving, ever content, self-controlled, and of firm determination, such a yogi is dear to Me."
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the qualities of an ideal yogi who is friendly (maitrah) and compassionate (karunah). The qualities outlined here mirror those mentioned in Patanjali's Yogasutra, where the cultivation of these virtues is seen as a source of strength and leads to inner peace and equanimity.
Yoga Vashishta 3.17.19
मैत्री च सर्वभूतेषु नान्यासक्तिरखण्डिता |
कृपासंपन्नचित्तस्य न शान्तिर्व्याघते क्वचित् ||
"Friendliness towards all beings, unwavering non-attachment, and a mind filled with compassion—such a person never finds peace disturbed anywhere."
The Yoga Vashishta here speaks of a mind filled with compassion (kripa) and friendliness (maitri) as a source of undisturbed peace. This aligns closely with the Yogasutra’s emphasis on gaining strength through cultivating these virtues, showing that inner peace and strength are interconnected results of such practices.
In all these texts, the recurring theme is that positive mental attitudes like friendliness and compassion, when meditated upon or deeply cultivated, result in mental clarity, tranquility, and strength, which are essential for a yogi’s spiritual progress. These qualities not only stabilize the mind but also empower the practitioner to navigate life's challenges with resilience and Grace.
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