Bhaya
Bhaya · bhaya, “fear”
Māyā has other meanings too: see all meanings of Māyā. Abhaya has other meanings too: see all meanings of Abhaya.
Grammar: neuter noun, from the root bhī (to fear): “fear”.
Meaning: fear; in the teaching on yoga, one of the faults that the seeker must conquer.
In the scriptures: in the Brahma Purāṇa, Vyāsa teaches the munis that, controlling the mind and the outer senses and practising the knowledge of adhyātma, one should give up the five yoga-doshas (faults that hinder yoga): kāma (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), bhaya (fear) and svapna (sleep). Each fault is conquered by its own means, and fear is conquered by vigilance, by freedom from heedlessness, as deceit is conquered by serving the discerning. “Thus these yoga-doshas can be conquered with effort” (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 236).
Again, giving the munis the root of yoga practice, Vyāsa says that krodha is conquered by forbearance, sleep by the increase of sattva, and fear by watchfulness; and at the end of the same list, fear by courage. One who gives up the five yoga-doshas and practises yoga grows in tejas, his pāpa is destroyed, and in the end he enters the abode of Brahman. Being firm and without fear, with freedom from delusion and attachment, is the pure path of moksha (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 238).
In his teaching on the three tāpas (afflictions), Vyāsa names bhaya among the mental afflictions, with kāma, krodha, dvesha, lobha, moha, grief and envy (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 234).
Related terms: Abhaya · Yoga-dosha · Kāma · Krodha · Lobha · Tāpatraya
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Chapters 234, 236, 238