Sūtra 2.43

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 2.43:

कायेन्द्रियसिद्धिरशुद्धिक्षयात्तपसः ॥ २.४३ ॥

kāyendriyasiddhiraśuddhikṣayāttapasaḥ || 2.43 ||

43. Through austerity results the perfection of the body and the organs, from decay of impurity.

The Rajamartanda commentary by King Bhoja:

[English translation of the 11th century commentary by Bhoja called the Rājamārtaṇḍa]

[Sanskrit text for commentary available]

The fruit of austerity.

[Read Sūtra 2.43]

Through the decay of impurity of the form of distress and the like by the exercise of austerity there arises in the mind a “perfection” (siddhi) or superiority of the body and the organs. The meaning is this, the afflictions of the thinking principle decay by the performance of Cāndrāyaṇa and other fasts. From that decay the organs acquire the power of perceiving the minute, the hidden, and the remote, and the body (the power of assuming) at pleasure the form of a molecular, or great magnitude.

Notes and Extracts

[Notes and comparative extracts from other commentaries on the Yogasūtra]

[Briefly the purport of the aphorism is that by attaining perfection in austerity, a Yogī acquires transcendental powers; his organs are then able to grasp all kinds of objects, whether they be so minute as not to be ordinarily perceivable by the senses, or so hidden as not to be accessible to the senses, or so remote as to be beyond their range.

The reference to the Cāndrāyaṇa is a mere illustration, the object is to imply austerity generally, and not to such only as are enjoined as penances. The object is not penance or expiation for sins committed, but the general mortification of the flesh.]

The fruit of muttering.