46 The Perfection of Yoga

How is it one can tolerate such dualities?

ard

kutastho vijitendriyah
yukta ity ucyate yogt
sama-lostasma-kaficanah’

“A person is said to be established in self-realization
and is called a yogi (or mystic) when he is fully
satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and reali-
zation. Such a person is situated in transcendence
and is self-controlled. He sees everything—whether
it be pebbles, stones or gold—as the same.” (Bg. 6.8)
Jiiana means theoretical knowledge, and vijiana
refers to practical knowledge. For instance, a science
student has to study theoretical scientific concep-
tions as well as applied science. Theoretical knowl-
edge alone will not help. One has to be able to also
apply this knowledge. Similarly, in yoga one should
have not only theoretical knowledge but practical
knowledge. Simply understanding “I am not this
body” and at the same time acting in a nonsensical
way will not help. There are so many societies where
the members seriously discuss Vedanta philosophy
while smoking and drinking and enjoying a sensual
life. It will not help if one only has knowledge
theoretically. This knowledge must be demonstrated.
One who truly understands “I am not this body”
will actually reduce his bodily necessities to a mini-
mum. When one increases the demands of the body
while thinking “I am not this body,” then of what
use is that knowledge? A person can only be satisfied
when there is jriana and vijfiana side by side.
