Conclusion of the Second Chapter

Thus then has been described the practical exercise of the Yoga which forms the theme of the first chapter. The practical Yoga is first defined (I), then follow its use (II),in the weakening of the afflictions (III), its origin from ignorance (iv), the definition of ignorance (v), do. of afflictions (VI to IX), means of obviating them (X and XI), works, their sources and fruit (XII to XIV), afflictions, their character and why and how they are to be got rid of (xv to xxvii), discriminative knowledge (xxviii to xlvi), postures, &c., (xlvii to lii), and the advantages thereof (LIII to lv). [Not literally translated, but only the substance of the commentary is given here for reasons elsewhere assigned, p. 58.]

Now this Yoga, through restraints and obligations, assumes the form of a seed, which sprouts through postures and regulation of breath, flowers through abstraction, and bears fruit through contemplation, retention and meditation, and these are explained in this chapter on exercise.

This is the end of the second quarter, or the quarter on practice, of the commentary entitled Rājamārtaṇḍa on Patañjali’s institutes of the Yoga, by the great king, the superior king, the illustrious Bhojadeva.