303 Ashtanga Yoga Niyamas Santosh Part II

Synopsis of lesson 303:
Santosha
Mahabharata- Shanti Parva (12.276.6)
Happiness usually comes by fulfilment of desire. Happiness which is not based on desire-fulfilment is rarely sought by the worldly person.
Adhyatma highlights Nirvishaya Sukham, or Ananda, I.e., happiness without attachment to an object or subject.
Paramarthika Sukham or spiritual happiness.
This Sukham comes from core or mineral consciousness. Hence Adhyatma speaks about the Pancha koshas. Anandamaya kosha- the Core consciousness. Nirvishayaananda, Aatmaanand, Paramaananda, only on the spiritual path.
“Trushna Tyaaga Roopi Sukham”. Sukham that comes out of desireless-ness. Mind and psyche is seeded in desireless-ness.
Renunciation of all desires, immersion of all desires. Other Sukham is not even one- sixteenth of the volume and quality of this joy or Sukham. Is is called Shodasha kalaa.
Desire is the most formidable foe and antagonising foe of the spiritual path- the Trusha.
Adi Prarva in Mahabharata 1.85.14 : the Trushna is difficult to overcome by the evil, demonic and cruel. Desires makes man a brute. Because of this, spiritual pursuit becomes impossible.
Mahabharata says, even if the body is weak, fragile, rotted, the desires still vex the human mind. Similarly, even in old age and weakness, the Trushna gets younger and stronger. Hence Trushna Tyaaga is almost impossible. But the wise know this to be the only way to spiritual happiness.
Santosha is the fundamental thing in Yoga and lack of it can lead to Himsa. Therefore, even the first of the Yamas, Ahimsa, depends on Santosha. There can never be, not even as an exception, Ahimsa in the absence of Santosha.
Generally, Tapas needs to be practiced due to discontent, in order to overcome it.
But in Yoga, Tapas is based on Santosha. A Contented state can generate Tapas. This is the case with Yogis and Jnanis. This is the ideal condition, but not possible for the ordinary human being.
Abhyasa and Vairagya are the two means of the Supreme or Samadhi Yoga.
To the one on the Yoga Marg, worldly inclemencies may cause discontent, but that should not bring discontent in the Chitta. If we walk barefoot in the forest, it’s not possible that the thorns do not pierce our feet. Hence, for this, there must be Santosha Sadhana.
Abhijata yoga or quintessential yoga cannot be possible if discontent can easily touch the mind. The path then would be like walking on a banana skin; very slippery.
Without Santosha, the 4 purusharthas can be pursued, but the genuine aspect of Parmartha cannot be possible.
B.G. Ch12.14 : “The yogi who is always restrained, contented, determined in spiritual pursuit . When he offers his Manas and Buddhi to me, he is my beloved Bhakta”.
“I also love such a Bhakta who has these qualities: even minded in praises and abuses. So also, observing Maunam or being in silence of the deeper mind”.
By inter penetrating the psyche and consciousness one experiences Ananda, Pramananda, Atmananda.
Therefore, when the foundation of bliss drenches the Chitta, it would lead to Yajna, Daana, Tapas in an exalted way.
Satsanga, Sadhana sanga, Shastra sanga, Aahara- Vihaara, Achaara- Vichaara in an exalted way. Spiritual seeker heads towards Samyama.
What is the Santosh Sadhana? Santosha can only be had in Satsanga. Sadhu, Satya, Sattva Sanga are the Sadhanas.
Aahaara- Vihaara, Achaara- Vichaara are the Sadhanas.
Sadhana of Yoga Shastra is a sure way to reach Santosha.
Yogasana, Pranayama, Dharma Sadhana, Namasadhna, Japa Sadhana, Kartavya Sadhana, Ishtadevaupaasana, Kriya, Mundra, Pran Kriyas, Tattvakriya, Granthi kriyas, Shareera Kriya, Sthula, Sukshma and Karana Shareera Sadhana etc. are the Sadhana of Yogashastras. This will bring Aanandam in the deep core consciousness.
B.G 17 ch.: Shareera, Vachika , Manasik, Satvik tapas.
Sukshma Shareera Sadhana: Nama, Japa, Dhyana Sadhna.
Karana Shareere Sadhna: Drushtutvam, Skshitvam, objectifying the subjective entity, witnessing.
Shastra sanga: Shravana, Mananam, Vaachanam, Pathanam, Chittanam, Charcha, Pravacahana, seriously studying the various Shastras and Adhyatmic literature. Reading Gospels of saints.
Then, Innate Santosha will get excavated from within.
Patanjali says, the greatest joy is in excavating Santosha from within.