Post 2/2
Back to selectively copying out just the relevant bits from the first source:
Back to selectively copying out just the relevant bits from the first source:
Quote:aShTA~Ngas
[... the usual. But this bit is relevant:]
Niyama includes shaucha, santosha, tapas (i.e. of body, speech and mind [tapas as covered in shruti]), svAdhyAya (study of holy books [no, not the babble nor even the Dhammapaada, etc, as "svAdhyAya" originally=actually literally means the vedam, the study of veda and veda onlee, and specifically also the recitation of the Vedam] and repetition of mantras like OM), and IshvarapraNidhAna (devotion to Ishvara). [*Goes without saying but Ishvara=Vaidika Ishvara onlee (there is no other: none of the re-interpretations qualify, incl. now or in the future.)]
[...] The 3 disciplines of tapas, svAdhyAya and IshvarapraNidhAna are grouped together by Pata~njali and termed 'kriyAyoga'. It is effective as a shortcut to yoga.
[Note that tapas - the same as those specified in the upaniShads, which are specifically the various particular ritual observances used to prepare for Vaidika rites too (as explained in several upaniShads) - and especially OM (+study of the veda) and Ishvara-praNidhAna are exactly what some upaniShads including the ShvetAshvatara Upanishad were on about and which they explained as leading to mukti. That is, they already touched upon kriyAyoga as a most effective means to the ends aimed for in Hindoo cosmology.]
<The bits on Asana and prANAyAma that summarise Pata~njali's YogasUtras concerning these niyamas repeat the practices already taught and enjoined in several upaniShads.>
[The last 3 aShTangas] dhAraNA, dhyAna and samAdhi--are actually 3 continuous steps of the same process. [...] SamAdhi can be attained by IshvarapraNidhAna or devotion to Ishvara* also (1.23). Pata~njali terms these 3 steps together as 'saMyama'. And this saMyama should always be on one and the same object.
Yogasiddhis
The belief that one can attain siddhis by tapas and by the grace of Ishvara is very ancient. Pata~njali describes quite a few of such...
SaMyama on different objects will endow the yogi with several siddhis. For instance, saMyama on [the pa~nchabhUtas leads to aShTasiddhis].
<Plus examples given of other siddhis.>
(Hmm, among the *additional* yogasiddhis summarised, recognised 2 among the descriptions that match Hindoos I know. -> So heathenism=Hindoo genuine tradition - as opposed to the new-age replacement - not dead yet.
On the other hand, they were born with it, which isn't quite relevant. (Unless it's residual?) Same conclusion still though: proof of Hindoo heathenism having been alive and well until the younger generations.)
[...]
Death to traitors.