Aparigraha ( अपरिग्रह: )
The meaning of the term Aparigraha (अपरिग्रह) is non-covetousness. It means to be truthful in thought, speech and action to self and others. This is considered as a Yama as per Patanjali Yoga Sutra.
Scriptural Occurrence:
1. Patanjal Yoga Sutras (2.29)[1] enlists Yama as one of the limbs of Ashtanga Yoga as below.
यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि ।। २.२९ ।। yamaniyamāsanaprāṇāyāmapratyāhāradhāraṇādhyānasamādhayo'ṣṭāvaṅgāni ।। 2.29 ।।
Meaning: The 8 limbs of yoga are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahar, Dharna, Dhyana, Samadhi.
2. Further Patanjali mentions the 5 Yamas in Sutra 2.30[1]
अहिंसासत्यास्तेयब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहा यमाः ।। २.३० ।। ahiṁsāsatyāsteyabrahmacaryāparigrahā yamāḥ ।। 2.30 ।।
The five Yama as per Patanjali are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. As per other texts the number may vary.
3. Patanjali explains Aparigraha in Sutra 2.39[1] as below.
अपरिग्रहस्थैर्ये जन्मकथंतासंबोधः ।। २.३९ ।। aparigrahasthairye janmakathaṁtāsaṁbodhaḥ ।। 2.39 ।।
Meaning: As one gets free from desires and wants, the real purpose of the life is revealed.
Why Aparigraha is required?
Aparigraha is a virtue that a person is expected to bear. It is a Yama that a person can follow. Below are reasons for it.
a. Osho also discusses about Aparigraha in “Amrit Kan (अमृत कण)” [2]
“अपरिग्रह यानी आत्मनिष्ठा। परिग्रह का विश्वास वस्तुओं में है, अपरिग्रह का स्वयं में। अपरिग्रह का मूलभूत संबंध संग्रह से नहीं, संग्रह की वृत्ति से है। जो उसका संबंध संग्रह से ही मान लेता है, वह संग्रह के त्याग में ही अपरिग्रही की उपलब्धि देखता है, जब कि संग्रह का आग्रहपूर्ण त्याग भी वस्तुओं में ही विश्वास है। वह परिवर्तन बहुत ऊपरी है और व्यक्ति का अंतस्तल उससे अछूता ही रह जाता है। संग्रह नहीं, संग्रह की विक्षिप्त वृत्ति विचारणीय है। स्वयं की आंतरिक रिक्तता और खालीपन को भरने के लिए ही व्यक्ति संग्रह की दौड़ में पड़ता है। रिक्तता से भय पैदा होता है और उसे किसी भी भांति धन से, यश से, पद से, पुण्य से या ज्ञान से भर लेने से सुरक्षा मालूम होने लगती है। यह रिक्तता की दौड़ से भी भरी जा सकती है। लेकिन ऐसे रिक्तता भरती नहीं केवल भूली रहती है और मृत्यु का आघत सारी वंचना को नष्ट कर देता है। “
b. B. K. S Iyengar says below on Aparigraha in "Light on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" [3]
“One who observes aparigraha will come to know of his past and future lives.”
“Aparigraha means not only non-possession and non-acceptance of gifts, but also freedom from the rigidity of thought. Holding on to one's thoughts is also a form of possessiveness, and thoughts, as well as material possessions, should be shunned. Otherwise, they leave strong impressions on the consciousness and become seeds to manifest in future lives. These cycles of life continue until the sadhaka is totally clean and clear in thoughts, words and deeds.
Aparigraha is the subtlest aspect of Yama, and difficult to master. Yet, repeated attempts must be made to gain pure knowledge of 'what I am' and 'what I am meant for' ”
c. Swami Niranjanananda Saraswat says in Yoga magazine[4]
Cultivate the habit to live happily with minimum comfortable requirements and needs. Don’t be greedy, insecure and uncertain – for today’s restrictions are tomorrow’s freedom.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Patanjal Yoga Sutras 2.29 2.30 2.39 [1]
- ↑ Osho, Amrit Kan(अमृत कण) , www.oshoworld.com [2]
- ↑ Iyengar, B. K. S, Light on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (2002), London, Thorsons
- ↑ Swami Niranjanananda Saraswat, Yoga (Magazine)(June, 2020), Bihar, Bihar School of Yoga, Chapter on Yogic Lifestyle Sadhana.[3]