शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मन: | नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् || 11 || तत्रैकाग्रं मन: कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रिय: | उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये || 12 || समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिर: | सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् || 13 || |
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“In a clean spot, a firm seat should be made, neither too high nor too low, and it should be covered by kusha grass, deer skin and a cloth, one over the other.
Seated firmly on it, let the yogi strive to purify the mind by focusing it with one pointed concentration, controlling all thoughts and activities.
He must hold the body, neck, and head firmly in a straight line, and gaze at the tip of the nose, without allowing the eyes to wander.”
Commentary: These three verses emphasize the need to maintain proper posture of the body and to focus the mind. Kusha grass, skin of deer or tiger that died due to natural causes and a silk cloth have certain vibrations that prevent consciousness from being drawn toward the magnetic vibrations of earth. These materials enable one to maintain stability and focus. Kusha grass is an earth element, skin is formed by water substance and silk cloth is made out of fire. These are the first three elements representing the lower energy centers. Kusha or Darbha grass, commonly known as Halfa, has notable mentions in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. It is also used as medicine, fodder for livestock and for fermentation.
During an eclipse, the wavelength and intensity of light radiations on the earth’s surface are altered. Especially, the blue and ultraviolet radiations, which are known for their natural disinfecting property, are not available in sufficient quantities during eclipse. This leads to uncontrolled growth of microorganisms in food products which make them unsuitable for consumption. Research conducted jointly by the Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB) and the Centre for Advanced Research in Indian System of Medicine (CARISM) found that darbha grass has properties that block excessive harmful radiations during eclipse. It acts as a natural disinfectant that preserves the food.
In the modern age, it is sufficient to have a firm seat with a silk cloth on it. It is important to keep the place of worship clean. Keeping the body still with spine straight and the mind calmly focused at the tip of the nose between the eyebrows, the devotee is now ready to practice the universal religion of yoga.
The movement of eyeballs can vary the state of consciousness. Looking down induces subconscious sleep, looking straight keeps one awake and looking up into the point between eyebrows initiates higher spiritual consciousness. A blank mind without any thoughts attracts tramp souls waiting to occupy and experience the physical body. To avoid such intrusions, one can focus on the sacred point between the eyebrows with or without an image of God.