Namaskar - Oct 09

Dristi Santosha
Con
onten
ent, , not
Complac
omplacen
ent
Sankirtana Das
PHOTO BY KELLY CHAN
Patanjali Muni in Yoga-Sutra 2.32 lists santosa as the second of five observances
(niyama). Such observances regulate our habits and improve our character. In the
same chapter he explains the result of contentment: purity of mind; onepointedness;
control of the senses; fitness to have the vision of the self and supreme
happiness (2.41-42).
Patanjali lists contentment as a discipline. He lists it right after sauca, cleanliness - not only
cleanliness of the body, but also of the mind (the mind must be purged of all impurities
like lust, anger and greed — kama, krodha and lobha). Next he lists tapas, which literally
means “generating heat”, but means voluntarily accepting some inconveniences
(austerities). The remaining two observances are svadhyaya (self-study) and Isvara pranidhana
(surrendering to the Supreme). Each of these five items involves a proactive stand; thus
contentment necessitates endeavour, spiritual endeavour.
Contentment does not equal complacency. After all, even an animal appears content. The
classical examples are the dog and the ass. An animal does not know how he is in danger
of being killed by the very person who looks after it, nor does it know how to check the
repetition of birth and death. If we remain contented like a dog or an ass then we live an
animal life. Yet, as in many other areas, there are also things to learn from the animal
kingdom. In the Niti Sastra, Canakya Pandit says: “Contentment with little or nothing to eat
although one may have a great appetite; to awaken instantly although one may be in a deep slumber;
unflinching devotion to the master; and bravery; these four qualities should be learned from the dog.
Although an ass is tired, he continues to carry his burden; he is unmindful of cold and heat; and he is
always contented; these three things should be learned from the ass.”
You likely know people who are “content” (complacent); just ask them how they are and
they say they are fine. Such contentment is often the result of self-enforced blindness.
Pretend a problem does not exist, and likely you feel happy. Blind and lazy so-called
spiritualists go on assuring people, “There’s no need to worry. Just be happy. Everything is
all right.” But actually, living in this world is becoming ever nastier and although people are
secretly worried about their future on this planet, they tend to deny that the problem could
have something to do with their own complacency.
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