Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 32

शौच संतोष तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः ॥३२॥

śauca-saṃtoṣa-tapaḥ svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni niyamāḥ ||32||

Cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study
and dedication to the lord are the observances.

śauca - cleanlinesssaṃtoṣa - satisfaction; contentedness withtapas - to heat; religious austerity; self-discipline; pain, sufferingsvādhyāya - to study; to read; sacred recitation; study of the selfīśvara - the lord; god; the supreme being; the supreme soul; personal god; special self; master, lord, prince, king, mistress, queen; ruler of choicespraṇidhāna - dedication; respectful conduct; attention; to place down; in front ofniyama - observances; restraint of the mind; a rule or precept; obligation; restraining, checking, holding back

Commentaries and Reflections

Commentary by Paul Harvey:

“In Yoga Sutra Chapter Two, the role for
Īśvara Praṇidhānā in the Bāhya Aṅga section can
be as an appropriate Upāya for a Rakṣaṇa situation.
Here, as part of a cultivation of Niyama within the Bāhya
Aṅga Sādhana, its purpose is in accessing Antar Aṅga.”

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