YSP Study Group – Sutra 2.37

अस्तेयप्रतिष्ठायां सर्वरत्नोपस्थानम्॥३७॥

asteya-pratiṣṭhāyāṁ sarvaratn-opasthānam ॥37॥

asteya=refrainment from stealing; pratiShThaayaaM=upon the establishment of; sarva=all; ratna=jewels; upasthaanam=approach, come into the presence of

Sw. Satchidananda

"To one established in non-stealing, all wealth comes."

By practicing non-stealing, all riches can come to us. Most of us are thieves in some way. Even the air we breathe is stolen from nature, unless we can give something back to the nature. We steal because of greed. We steal precious office time by making personal phone calls, appointments; we steal by taking supplies from work, stealing other’s ideas etc. Another example of stealing is when we don’t allow other people to use things that we own but are not able to make use of.

The government steals the health and happiness of many when they decide to spend money on space missions, money that could otherwise be used to build hospitals and other amenities for common people. Most of these government actions are based on fear, pride and competition; they are not based on common humanitarian grounds.

Bryant

"When one is established in refrainment from stealing, all jewels manifest."

Vyasa only says that for one who follows the yama of asteya, jewels come to him from all directions. Such a yogi radiates the glow of detachment and indifference. Other people find such a person trustworthy and with integrity. That encourages people to bestow their valued items to such a yogi knowing that they will be put to the best use in selfless services. The word ‘ratna’ (jewel) may also imply the best of every class of things, including best of noble-hearted people. Thus, the yogi established in true honesty attracts not only the best of material things but also the best of noble people.

Discussion

(Commentary by Kailasam Iyer)

YSP II-37 Best of everything presents itself to one with a non-stealing state of mind.

Not wanting to take something that belongs to somebody else because of fear of retribution or punishment by law is a trivial case of the non-stealing attitude. Established in spiritual pursuit, the yoga practitioner strives to root out desire for ownership. The practitioner voluntarily gives up any claim for anything. Hariharananda elaborates on Vyasa by describing the aura observable in someone who doesn’t need anything. Then, in that state of mind, he has everything or he is indifferent to anything. Think of a Buddha Bikkhu.

How do we “translate” this for a life in the modern world? Most of us are not likely to take anything from anybody without permission. So, a contented mind is a continuous feast. I think we need to go a little deeper.

Our tradition and philosophy exhort us to meditate on a sense of propriety. What is proper? What DOES belong to us? We answer this easily and strongly by thinking of what really belongs to others – their rights – and not infringing on them. “Do unto others as you would have them do for you.” When we make others wait for us we steal their time. When we ignore somebody we steal their dignity. When we don’t speak up for fair wage practices we encourage exploitation. When we steal limelight away from others we hurt their pride. When we get paid and not do a day’s work we shortchange our employers. How many of us have not come across somebody who, after jabbering on and on about oneself to an acquaintance, asks “Enough about me, let’s talk about you; what do you think of me?”. All I am saying is stealing is ubiquitous. Be mindful of it.

Lea Peace posted the attachment on Facebook recently in a different context. I read into it a meaning for this sutra. I invite you to consider.