Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यान्नित्यतृप्तो महामुनिः / सम्यक् च दमसम्पन्नः स योगी भिक्षुरुच्यते
yastvātmaratireva syānnityatṛpto mahāmuniḥ / samyak ca damasampannaḥ sa yogī bhikṣurucyate
Adapun mahāmuni yang bersukacita hanya dalam Ātman, sentiasa puas, dan sempurna dengan dama (pengendalian diri) yang benar—dialah disebut yogin dan pengemis suci yang sejati.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Ātmarati (delight in the Self), nitya-tṛpti (ever-content), and dama (self-restraint) are the marks of the true yogin and bhikṣu.
Vedantic Theme: Ātma-niṣṭhā and santoṣa: abiding as the Self, free from craving; the jīvanmukta ideal hinted through inner sufficiency.
Application: Cultivate contentment practices (gratitude, reduced wants), daily meditation/inquiry, and disciplined restraint in speech, consumption, and attention.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: inner contemplative space (ātma-sthiti)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.13-14 (dhyāna, yoga-abhyāsa, jñāna-oriented mendicancy as lead-in to ātmarati)
This verse states that inner absorption in the Self—rather than external marks—defines the genuine yogin and mendicant, making ātmarati a key sign of spiritual maturity.
By emphasizing contentment and self-restraint, it points to purification of mind and senses as the spiritual discipline that supports liberation (moksha), which is the ultimate aim beyond post-death outcomes.
Cultivate daily contentment, reduce dependence on sensory pleasures, and practice disciplined self-control—these are presented here as the real marks of a yogic life.