Yoga Sutra 1.33

Maitri Karuna Muditopekshanam Sukha Dukha Punya Apunya Vishayanam Bhavanatah Chitta Prasadanam

Summary

Yoga Sutra 1.33, “Maitri Karuna Muditopekshanam Sukha Dukha Punya Apunya Vishayanam Bhavanatah Chitta Prasadanam,” translates to “By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and equanimity toward the wicked, the mind retains its undisturbed calmness.” This Sutra emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced and serene mind through positive attitudes and emotional responses.

Analysis of the Sutra

Maitri (Friendliness):

“Maitri” means friendliness or loving-kindness. It suggests that one should cultivate a friendly and kind attitude towards those who are happy. This helps in fostering positive relationships and reducing feelings of jealousy or envy.

Karuna (Compassion):

“Karuna” translates to compassion. It involves feeling empathy and compassion towards those who are suffering or unhappy. This attitude encourages helping others and alleviating their pain, fostering a sense of connectedness and humanity.

Mudita (Delight):

“Mudita” means delight or joy. It refers to feeling joy and happiness for those who are virtuous or successful. This attitude helps in cultivating a positive and supportive environment, free from feelings of resentment or competition.

Upeksha (Equanimity):

“Upeksha” translates to equanimity or indifference. It involves maintaining a neutral and balanced attitude towards those who are wicked or engaging in negative actions. This helps in preserving one’s inner peace and not getting disturbed by external negativity.

Significance of the Sutra

Mental Clarity and Calmness:

This Sutra highlights the importance of cultivating positive attitudes to maintain mental clarity and calmness. By practicing friendliness, compassion, delight, and equanimity, one can prevent the mind from becoming agitated and disturbed.

Emotional Balance:

The Sutra emphasizes the need for emotional balance in dealing with different situations and people. It teaches that by adopting these attitudes, one can navigate life’s challenges with a stable and serene mind.

Path to Inner Peace:

By fostering these positive attitudes, practitioners can achieve a state of inner peace and tranquility. This Sutra underscores the transformative power of maintaining a balanced and positive mindset in achieving mental and emotional well-being.

Common Interpretations

Traditional Interpretation:

Traditional commentators emphasize the importance of these attitudes in purifying the mind and achieving spiritual growth. They suggest that cultivating friendliness, compassion, delight, and equanimity helps in overcoming negative emotions and fostering a peaceful mind.

Modern Interpretation:

Modern interpretations often relate this Sutra to the practice of mindfulness and emotional intelligence. They highlight the relevance of these attitudes in managing stress, building positive relationships, and maintaining mental health in contemporary life.

Yoga Sutra 1.33 provides a practical guide to maintaining mental and emotional balance through positive attitudes. By emphasizing friendliness, compassion, delight, and equanimity, it offers a pathway to inner peace and mental clarity.