Krishjan

Chapter 2 — Second Khanda

Jabal Darshan

15 Shloka • Translation Only

Austerity (Tapaḥ), contentment (Santoṣa), faith (Āstikya), charity (Dāna), worship of God (Īśvara-pūjana), listening to the scriptures (Siddhānta-śravaṇa), modesty (Hrī), right understanding (Mati), repetition of sacred formulas (Japa), and observance of vows (Vrata)—these are the ten Niyamas.

These are declared to be the Niyamas. Listen, and I shall explain them one by one in due order.

The wise declare austerity (Tapaḥ) to be the disciplining and mortification of the body through observances such as the Kṛcchra, Cāndrāyaṇa, and other practices prescribed in the Vedas.

“What is liberation? How has one come to be caught in Saṃsāra?” Inquiry into such questions, say the wise who understand the truth, is also called austerity (Tapaḥ).

The joy that arises in a person from being content with whatever comes of its own accord at all times— this the wise, who are devoted solely to true knowledge, know as contentment (Santoṣa).

The supreme contentment (Santoṣa) is known as that joy which arises from detachment from everything, from the world of Brahmā downwards, and from freedom from attachment everywhere. Faith in the teachings of Śruti and Smṛti—this is called Āstikya (faith).

Giving wealth that has been acquired through righteous means, with faith, to a worthy and learned follower of the Vedic tradition who is in need—or giving any other appropriate gift in the same spirit— this is what I call charity (Dāna).

A heart free from attachment and other passions, speech devoid of falsehood and harmful words, and actions free from violence and wrongdoing— this is worship of God (Īśvara-pūjana).

The wise declare listening to Vedānta (Vedānta-śravaṇa) to be the understanding that the inner Self (Pratyag-Ātman) is Truth, Knowledge, Infinity, the Supreme Bliss, the Supreme Reality, and the Eternal.

Whatever action is condemned in the Vedic or worldly paths, the sense of shame that arises regarding such conduct is called Hrī (modesty). Firm faith in all Vedic teachings is known as Mati (right understanding or conviction).

Even after receiving instruction from the Guru, the repeated practice of a mantra, free from extraneous associations and performed according to the method prescribed in the Vedas, is known as Japa.

Devoted study and engagement with the Kalpa-sūtras, the Vedas, the Dharmaśāstras, the Purāṇas, and the Itihāsas— this is what I call Japa.

Japa is said to be of two kinds: verbal (Vācika) and mental (Mānasa).

Verbal Japa (Vācika Japa) is declared to be of two kinds: Upāṃśu (muttered softly) and Ucchaiḥ (recited aloud). Mental Japa (Mānasa Japa) is likewise of two varieties: reflection (Manana) and meditation (Dhyāna).

Upāṃśu Japa (softly muttered repetition) is said to be a thousand times superior to loud recitation (Ucchaiḥ Japa). Likewise, mental Japa (Mānasa Japa) is said to be a thousand times superior to Upāṃśu Japa. Loud recitation yields the fruits that have been prescribed for it. If the mantra is recited softly enough to be heard only by one's own ears, it is said to produce a threefold result.