Patanjali Yoga Sutra — मैत्र्यादिषु बलानि॥3.24॥
Maitryādiṣu balāni॥
Through saṁyama on virtuous qualities like friendly attitude, care, consideration, sympathy, empathy, delightfulness, compassion, etc, yogi evolves in him all the associated powers.
The readers may refer sūtra №1.33 once again as a cross-reference to this sūtra. The power, the courage, audacity, bravery, valor, a yogi evolves in him by mastering these virtuous attitudes is just amazing. Is there a better human being than a yogi? There are three kinds of emotions:
1. Maitri (Friendliness): When the yogi practices saṁyama on friendliness, he can develop friendliness with everyone, every animal (cruel or otherwise). There are innumerable examples found in our traditional texts explaining cruel animals living cordially in the vicinity of yogis. Cruel animals shed their cruelty! It is said even the cruelest of animals ceased to be brutal in the presence of Bhagavān Buddha. It is also said that he was able to create a vast zone of non-violence around him and whoever enters that zone would show strong signs of forbearance as if they were under hypnosis. That is because of his steadfast non-violence — kāyā (physically), vācā (in words), manasā (mentally). Mahātma Gandhi was once asked by a western visitor — ‘Bible says you should love your enemies. What is your opinion?’ Mahātma Gandhi replies — ‘Friend, I don’t agree; I have a different opinion on this issue. I don’t have any enemies at all; then, where is the question of loving or hating?’ Being always in a state of calm and composure, he hated none — not even the British rulers! He never used abusive words against British rulers, against whom he was fighting for freedom! The smile on bhagavān Śrīkr̥ṣṇa’s face never vanished even when he was fighting against jāmbuvanta, in his endeavor to get the precious Sūryamaṇi (śamantakamaṇi) from the latter! The fight was fun for them! Friendly attitude towards a foe!
2. Muditā (Delightful): The practice of saṁyama on the delightfulness helps a yogi to be delightful with everyone. He never feels downhearted even with the most sadistic, brutal personalities. Bhagavān Buddha was once asked — ‘Through your Tapas (Austerities) what have you gained?’ He says, ‘No, I have not gained anything; instead, I have lost many things: desires, fear of death, ignorance, anger, hatred, cruelty and the like. With a malicious conspiracy, Kaikeyī and Mantharā were able to send Śrīrām and Sītāmātā for fourteen years of exile. Both Śrīrām and Sītāmātā never used abusive words against these cruel characters!
3. Karuṇā (Compassion): Similarly, saṁyama on compassion develops divine qualities like sympathy, care, empathy, consideration, kindness, and concern towards all.
