Yogasūtra III.24 - baleṣu hasti-balādīni

[Saṁyama] on the strengths [of the elephant and others leads to] the strengths of the elephant and the others.

By extension from the previous Sūtra, Patañjali here emphasises that when we meditate on the strength of any object, we gain that strength. The principle of Viniyoga is again emphasised. Different people need to develop different qualities, and so need to focus on different things. This is why the Hindu religion has so many different forms of the Divine, so that we may relate to that form which will nourish the strength we need.

By highlighting the word bala (strength), Patañjali is asking us to focus on the positive attribute of the elephant, and not its form. The same applies to other focuses, be it a tiger, a flower or even a form of God.

Excerpt from Truth Unclouded, The Yogasūtra-s of Patañjali by TKV Desikachar with Dr Kausthub Desikachar. If you wish to purchase a copy, please visit https://khyf.net/shop/

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