3.47 Body perfections

3.47 The bodily perfections include beauty, grace, and the strength to withstand a thunderbolt.

Continuing with the effects of practicing samyama on the elements, this sutra lists the effects of mastering the elements. The fact that the traditional commentators have basically no commentary on this sutra reminds the student that focus only on the physical misses the point of the practice. This sutra points out that the body of the practitioner grows in beauty, grace and becomes unbreakable. These attributes are not a goal, but a side effect of the practice. At a basic level you may notice how when a person is loving, kind and emotionally balanced he or she seems to radiate joy. Also, a practitioner whose power comes from having an open mind, open heart, and deep integrity can navigate all aspects of life with ease and grace. No matter what happens, good or bad, the practitioner can withstand it all with equanimity. Even if you have not mastered the primordial elements of existence, is your practice keeping you vibrant, enthusiastic, and wholehearted?
Are you living your life with beauty, grace, and strength?

As usual, one more way of exploring the meaning of this sutra is by chanting it.
You can choose to chant it in its traditional form with some of the words coming together:

3.47 rūpalāvaṇyabalavajrasaṃhananatvāni kāyasaṃpat
रूपलावण्यबलवज्रसंहननत्वानि कायसंपत् ॥४७॥

Another option is to chant each word in the sutra individually:

• rūpa
• lāvaṇya
• bala
• vajra
• saṃhananatvāni
• kāya
• saṃpat

If you prefer, you may listen to the podcast:

This is an excerpt from the book Unravel the thread: Applying the ancient wisdom of yoga to live a happy life

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