Verse
11
वायुरोधनाल्लीयते मनः |
जालपक्षिवद्रोधसाधनम् ||
vāyurodhanāllīyate manaḥ |
jālapakṣivadrodhasādhanam ||
From control of prana, the mind dissolves;
Like a bird in a net, it is a means for control.
This Chapter is for the seeker who is interested in
the control
The topics related to obtaining such control are
discussed in this section of the book. Ashtanga Yoga was systemized by the
great sage Patanjali Maharshi, who has composed the Patanjali Yoga
Sutras describing this Yoga.
By the practice of Pranayama, the mind can be rendered
quiet, calm, free from restlessness, and fit for the practice of further
spiritual Sadhanas prescribed for meditation as per Ashtanga Yoga. A quiet and
steady is the basis for such higher practices.
Pranayama or controlling the breadth is a technical
process and should be better done under guidance of someone who is
competent.
As easier process is called “Prana Vikasanam” or observing the process of breathing. The mind is given the occupation of watching the breathing entering and leaving the nostrils and there is no other attempt to change or control the pattern of breathing. The mind gets an occupation where no deliberation is involved. Mind gets absorbed in observing prana which is formless. By keeping the mind attentively focused on the route of the air flow, the mind is rendered calm in a short space of time.
It must be noted especially what the culmination of Pranayama is. It is simply the quietened state of the mind. It is not absorption in the Self
“Jaala Pakshi Vat” – The Net for Ensnaring Birds:
The simile used here illustrates how Pranayama assists the Yogi on his path.
i) Difficulty in Controlling Mind: The mind is compared to a bird because of the difficulty in catching it. It is very difficult to trap a bird, but by using a specially designed net, this can be achieved. In the same way it is difficult to bring the mind under one’s control because of its nature to jump about from one thought to another. It is much more restless and difficult to trap than a bird. Pranayama is the net with which the ensnaring of the mind is rendered possible.
Like a monkey is given a stick which it holds behind its neck and above the shoulders and due to this, its movement is restricted and it becomes quiet, like an elephant is given a stick which it holds in its trunk and this keeps it quiet, in easier way, in observing your breathing, your mind is occupied and absorbed and therefore, no other thinking is involved.
ii) The Mind is Controlled Temporarily: The second
aspect of this simile is that the net ensnares the bird but does not kill it.
It is the same with Pranayama. The mind is rendered quiet, but not destroyed.
In order to “destroy” it, which is a necessary part of the process of the Sadhana,
we shall explain later what has still to be done.
iii) The Nature of Mind Remains Unchanged: The third aspect of this simile is this. When the restraining net is cut, the birds are free to fly away and have their freedom. So, too, the mind “trapped” by Pranayama is only quietened by force for a particular purpose. The nature of the mind is still unchanged.
If it is given the chance, it will reassert its restless nature. Nothing has changed in its nature. When the Pranayama is discontinued, the mind returns to its original state, unless in the interim the Yogi uses the quiet mind to do more intense Sadhana; for only Sadhana can change the mind’s inherent nature.
Love.
