Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three verse 23
मैत्र्यदिषु बलानि ॥२३॥
maitrī-ādiṣu balāni ||23||
Friendliness and the rest, strengths.
maitrī - friendliness, good willādi - in the beginning, at first; beginning, commencement; a firstling, first-fruits; beginning with, and so on; and the rest; etcbala - strength, might, force; force or power of articulationCommentaries and Reflections
Commentary by T Krishnamacharya:
Commentary by TKV Desikachar:
Commentary by S Ramaswami:
Mainly Yoga is an individual discipline however here is a Sūtra which focusses on our relationships. This Sūtra is an extension of the idea given in Chapter 1 Verse 33, then a method of cleansing the mind, now a focus for Saṃyama.
Yama and Niyama regulate contact with the external world.
Yama merges into Niyama which merges in Āsana which merges into Prāṇāyāma and so on. Clearly an inward process.
However, when you get into contact with people what should your attitude be. This is given in I.33.
Here the Saṃyama is on these qualities of Friendliness, Compassion and Happiness.
According to Vyāsa this does not include the fourth quality of Upekṣā or equanimity towards vice or evil.
Vyāsa says indifference to sinners cannot be an object of contemplation.
What happens to the person who produces Saṃyama on these three qualities?
We acquire great mental and moral strength.