Pañcama-prakaraṇam (Prāṇāyāma) · Verse 4
कृतविद्यो जितक्रोधः सत्यधर्मपरायणः । गुरुशुश्रूषणरतः पितृमातृपरायणः ॥
kṛtavidyo jitakrodhaḥ satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ | guruśuśrūṣaṇarataḥ pitṛmātṛparāyaṇaḥ ||
This verse outlines a stringent ethical framework essential for the yogī’s journey, beginning with the eradication of krodha, or anger, a profound impediment to focused dhyāna. The yogī must cultivate satya, unwavering truthfulness, not merely as a moral precept, but as a fundamental alignment with the underlying reality – Brahman. Furthermore, devotion to dharma, encompassing righteous conduct and adherence to cosmic law, provides the stabilizing force necessary to navigate the complexities of the inner landscape. The explicit dedication to the guru, and the pitri – parents – underscores the importance of lineage and ancestral wisdom, representing a connection to the accumulated knowledge and spiritual experience that guides the yogī’s ascent. These elements aren’t simply supplementary; they are the very foundation upon which the more advanced practices of prāṇāyāma and samādhi can be established.