Sukhaduḥkhayorbahirmananam सुखदुःखयोर्बहिर्मननम्॥ (sūtra III.33)

sukhaduḥkhayo – pleasure and pain; bahir (bahis) – external; mananam – considering.

Such a yogi considers pleasure and pain as external factors and does not allow them to affect his perpetual connection with the Lord. For him, none of the external factors are able to distort his Divine commune. His body may suffer from pleasures and pains, as none with a physical body is beyond this natural process. He is called Jīvanmukta and he is liberated in this birth itself. But, this does not mean that he is devoid of pleasures or pains derived through senses. He also undergoes such pleasures and pains. The significant difference between this yogi and a materialistic person is that the yogi ensures that sensory influences do not affect his mind, where he has consecrated his Lord. When the mind is controlled, neither pleasures nor pains are experienced. Sensory influences manifest only in the mental arena.

This has happened with the great sage Ramana. While he was being operated, no anaesthesia was administered on him and he was fully aware and was even discussing with the medical professionals. While advancing in spiritual path, one should clearly understand that the Lord can be realized only through his mind and not by any of the external objects. A few minutes of focused concentration can lead to realisation faster than spending hours of imperfect meditation.

This sūtra says that the yogi, whose individual consciousness has been transformed into universal consciousness by perfect practice and perseverance, is beyond the realms of happiness or sorrow.

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