Sanskrit | Yoga Sūtras | Lists
(these are a work in progress)
Original Text
dṛṣṭānuśravika-viṣaya-vitṛṣṇasya vaśīkāra-saṁjñā vairāgyam
Translation
Dispassion is the mastery of one who no longer craves for pleasures — whether experienced directly or heard about.
Background
This sūtra points to the heart of yogic renunciation, which is not a rejection of life, but a freedom from compulsion. Whether it’s a shiny gadget, a sweet memory, or an idealized image from scripture or media, we’re invited to notice the pull, and gently let it go.
In a modern context, vairāgya might look like not needing another scroll, snack, or sale to feel whole. It’s a practice of grounded clarity, not repression.