DAY 34: JUNE 15
The Great Vow
II:31 जातिदेशकालसमयानवच्छिन्नाः सार्वभौमामहाव्रतम् ॥३१॥
jāti-deśa-kāla-samaya-anavacchinnāḥ sārva-bhaumāḥ mahā-vratam ||31||
“The Yamas make are the Great Vow
that everyone can make
regardless of social status, age, place or other circumstance.”
The yamas should be followed and practiced by the yogi all the time, without exception. They are not Patanjali says that practicing the yamas are the mahavratam (great vow) of the yogi. These vow as are not confined to class, place, or time. They are to be followed all the time without exception.
Sukkhasiddhi The Great Yogini
Ramaswami states:
The yogi takes this vow:
I will never harm any person. I will never harm any being.
I will never say anything false.
I will never steal on any occasion.
I will maintain brahmacharya on all occasions.
I will not accumulate things.
There may be an exception because of conflicting dharma. This was the case for ahimsa and satya. It may happen here as well. For instance, if the harming of one may save a hundred then it may be the right thing to do. But generally the yogi does not find himself in this situation.