Yoga Sutra Study

Sutra 1.47

निर्विचारवैशारद्येऽध्यात्मप्रसादः॥४७॥

nirvichaaravaishaaradye.dhyaatmaprasaadaH

nirvichaara = the Nirvichara stage; vaishaaradye = on refinement, on attaining utmost purity; .dhyaatma = spiritual; prasaadaH = lucidity, clarity

Taimni

"On attaining the utmost purity of the Nirvichara stage (of samadhi) there is the dawning of the spiritual light."

Even though sabija samadhi begins with the lower mind, true spiritual light dawns on the consciousness only when the last stage of nirvichara samadhi is reached. Samadhi at the lower levels of the mind leads only to siddhis of a lower kind which may result in a selfish outlook and arrogant attitude. People who begin to dwell on such siddhis  may never experience deeper realms of spirituality. However, during the last stages of nirvichara samadhi, buddhi, under the control of atma can shed its radiance on the lower mind and make it purer. Continue reading YSP Study Group 8/28/10 – sutra 1.47

Sutra 1.46

ता एव सबीजः समाधिः॥४६॥

taa eva sabIjaH samaadhiH

taa = they (the four types of samapattis mentioned before); eva = indeed; sabIjaH = with seed; samaadhiH = meditative absorption

Taimni

"They (stages corresponding to subtle objects) constitute only Samadhi with seed"

An object associated with Prakriti on which samyama is performed . . . → Read More: YSP SG 8/14/10 – Sutra 1.46

Sutra 1.45

सूक्ष्मविषयत्वं चालिङ्गपर्यवसानम्॥४५॥

sUkShmaviShayatvaM chaali~ggaparyavasaanam

sUkShmaviShayatvaM = the state of samadhi concerned with subtle objects; cha = and; ali~gga = last stage of the gunas (without a symbol); paryavasaanam = extending (up to)

Taimni

"The province of Samadhi concerned with subtle objects extends up to the Alinga stage of the three gunas"

Different objects . . . → Read More: YSP Study Group 7/24/10 – sutra 1.45

[Note: this is a continuation of the discussion from the last session on sutra 1.44]

Sutra 1.44

एतयैव सविचारा निर्विचारा च सूक्ष्मविषया व्याख्याता॥४४॥

etayaiva savichaaraa nirvichaaraa cha sUkShmaviShayaa vyaakhyaataa

etayaiva = by this alone; savichaaraa = samadhi involving reflection; nirvichaaraa = samadhi not involving ‘vichara’; cha = and; sUkShmaviShayaa = involving subtle objects; vyaakhyaataa = . . . → Read More: YSP Study Group 7/17/10 – Sutra 1.44

Sutra 1.43

[Discussion on this sutra continued during the meetings on 6/19/10 and 6/26/10]

स्मृतिपरिशुद्धौ स्वरूपशून्येवार्थमात्रनिर्भासा निर्वितर्का॥४३॥

smRutiparishuddhau svarUpashUnyevaarthamAtranirbhaasaa nirvitrakaa

smRuti = memory; parishuddhau = on clarification; svarUpa = own form or essential nature; shUnya = devoid of; iva = as if; artha = real meaning; mAtra = only; nirbhaasaa = shining, appearing as; . . . → Read More: YSP Study Group 6/19 and 6/26/10

Sutra 1.43

[Discussion on this sutra continued during the meeting on 5/22/10]

स्मृतिपरिशुद्धौ स्वरूपशून्येवार्थमात्रनिर्भासा निर्वितर्का॥४३॥

smRutiparishuddhau svarUpashUnyevaarthamAtranirbhaasaa nirvitrakaa

smRuti = memory; parishuddhau = on clarification; svarUpa = own form or essential nature; shUnya = devoid of; iva = as if; artha = real meaning; mAtra = only; nirbhaasaa = shining, appearing as; nirvitrakaa = samadhi characterized by absence of Vitarka

Taimni

"On the clarification of memory, when the mind loses its essential nature (subjectivity), as it were, and the real knowledge of the object alone shines (through the mind), Nirvitarka Samadhi is attained."

Continue reading YSP Study Group 5/8/10 and 5/22/10 (Sutra 1.43)

Sutra 1.42

[Discussion on this sutra continued during the meeting on 5/8/10]

तत्र शब्दार्थज्ञानविकल्पैः संकीर्णा सवितर्का समापत्तिः॥४२॥

tatra shabdArthaj~jAnavikalpaiH saMkIrNaa savitarkaa samaapattiH

tatra = there; shabda = word; Artha = real meaning; j~jAna = ordinary knowledge; vikalpaiH = alternating between different alternatives due to confusion; saMkIrNaa = mixed up; savitarkaa = a state of samadhi characterized by vitarka (gross object); samaapattiH = absorption

Taimni

"Savitarka Samadhi is that in which knowledge based only on words, real
knowledge and ordinary knowledge based on sense perception or reasoning are present
in a mixed state and the mind alternates between them."

Sutras 1.42-1.51 discuss various aspects of ‘samadhi’. The word Samadhi does not represent a specific state of mind but a range of super-conscious states of mind which lead to ‘kaivalya’. Attainment of Samadhi can lead a yogi into higher realms of consciousness.

Continue reading YSP Study Group 4/17/10 (Sutra 1.42)

Sutra 1.40

परमाणु परममहत्त्वान्तोऽस्य वशीकारः॥४०॥

paramaaNu paramamahattvaanto’sya vashIkaaraH

paramaaNu = the smallest atom; parama + mahattvaantaH = extending up to the greatest – infinity; asya = his (yogi’s); vashIkaaraH = mastery.

Taimni

"His mastery extends from the finest atom to the greatest infinity"

In this sutra, Patanjali refers to the powers that a yogi can attain through the practice of yoga. The subject of yogic powers (siddhis) is dealt with in great detail in Chapter 3 (Vibhuti Pada).

Continue reading YSP Study Group 3/27/10 (Sutras 1.40 and 1.41)

Sutra 1.38

स्वप्ननिद्राज्ञानालम्बनं वा॥३८॥

svapnanidraaj~jaanaalambanaM vaa

Taimni

"Also (the mind) depending upon the knowledge derived from dreams or
dreamless sleep (will acquire steadiness)."

Nidra (deep sleep) and swapna (dream) refer to subtler vehicles into which the consciousness passes during sleep. Only partial contact is maintained with the physical body to enable it to carry on its normal physiological activities. Even though we all get into this state, only a few with psychic abilities can bring back a vague knowledge of their experience in that state. For a normal person, only chaotic dream images are produced as a result of interaction between the images in the mind during dream state and those received through the subtler vehicle. In the case of deep sleep, even higher subtler planes are encountered and the brain becomes empty. Only the mind stays active at a higher plane. Through proper training and practice, it is possible to bring back memories from the higher planes of dream and deep sleep states into the brain. These images are not chaotic and the knowledge can actually be carried over to the waking sate. It is this knowledge that is referred to in this sutra and contemplating on it is helpful in bringing the mind to a steady state.

Continue reading YSP Study Group 3/13/10 (sutras 1.38 and 1.39)

by Kailasam Iyer

You hear this expression “being one with the Universe” or “feeling one with the Universe” with the implication of an identity, resonance, compatibility, what is good for the Universe is good for me and vice versa type of cuddling in all sorts of socio, political, economic, religious interactions. What does this mean? Why is it felt sometimes and not others? Why do some people feel it and not others? When you eat a moderate amount of healthy food in the evening and if it is all digested before you go to sleep, chances are you will sleep well and wake up with a smug smirk on your face. You are in tune with your perceived universe or in other words the universe is a friendly place or the universe is cozy to you as a cocoon. The feeling is entirely subjective and transitory. Where does this feeling come from and why doesn’t it stay permanently? OR is there a way to latch on to it permanently? The answer lies in our understanding of what we mean by “the Universe” and who we are.

Continue reading Being One with the Universe