YSP Study Group – Sutra 2.28

योगाङ्गाऽनुष्ठानादशुद्धिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिराविवेकख्यातेः॥२८॥

yoga-aṅga-anuṣṭhānād-aśuddhi-kṣaye jñāna-dīptir-āviveka-khyāteḥ ॥28॥

yogaangga = limbs of yoga; anuShThaanaat = from the practice of; ashuddhi = impurity; kshaye = on the destruction of; jnjaana = knowledge; dIptih = light, lamp; a = up to; aviveka = discrimination; khyaateH = knowledge

Sw. Satchidananda

"By the practice of the limbs of Yoga, the impurities dwindle away and there dawns the light of wisdom, leading to discriminative discernment."

From here on, Patanjali gives us a practical approach to yoga in the form of the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

Bryant

"Upon the destruction of impurities as a result of the practice of yoga, the lamp of knowledge arises. This culminates in discriminative discernment"

As per Vyasa, Viveka or discriminative discernment is needed to remove the cause of the apparent union between Purusha and Prakriti. Patanjali, in this sutra, provides the means in the form of the limbs of yoga for achieving this level of discernment. By the practice of yoga, impurities are destroyed. These impurities, as per Vyasa, are nothing but the five kleshas – avidya (ignorance), asmita (egoism), raga (likes), dvesha (dislikes), and abhinivesha (fear of death) – discussed earlier. When impurities are removed, the light of full knowledge (jnana-dipti) shines through. Another way to look at this is that the impurities of tamas and rajas diminish and the clarity and purity of sattva comes through.

It is to be noted that Patanjali has used the terms Tapas, Swadhyaya, and Ishwara Pranidhana both as part of the definition of Kriya Yoga (sutra 2.1) as well as the last three of the five Niyamas. He, however, gives no indication as to the reason for this repetition.

Discussion

Starting with this sutra, Patanjali shifts the focus from the highly theoretical discussion to a practical approach for the attainment of the goals and objectives of yoga. Because of the wide acceptance of these eight limbs of yoga, Patanjali’s yoga is often referred to as "Ashtanga Yoga" or the "eight limbs of yoga".  In Sutra 2.26 Patanjali stated that the state of "viveka khyati" (discriminative wisdom) is the cause for the elimination of ignorance which leads to the apparent union between Purusha and Prakriti. In the current sutra, he lays out the means to get to that state of viveka khyati.

Swami Veda Bharati describes "jnana dipti" (brilliance of knowledge) as consisting of:

• Shining forth of knowledge regarding the elements such as earth, water etc
• Increased sharpness of senses and elimination of disease
• Gradual attainment of sattvic state
• Gaining knowledge beyond what is learned and contemplated
• Understanding subtlety
• Going to the ultimate reach of buddhi
• Expansion and clarity of knowledge

Vyasa, in his commentary on this sutra, states that the practice of these eight limbs of yoga serves as the cause in two categories – elimination of impurities and attainment of discriminative wisdom. He further goes on to list nine types of causes that are mentioned in the scriptures (unfortunately without any reference). These are:

1. Utpatti: production
2. Sthiti: maintenance
3. Abhivyakti: manifestation, expression
4. Vikāra: transmutation, modification
5. Pratyaya: cognition
6. Āpti: attainment
7. Viyoga: separation
8. Anyatva: otherness, differentiation
9. Dhṛti : sustenance

Vyasa emphasizes that the practice of the limbs of yoga is only applicable as a cause for viyoga (separation of impurities) and apti (attainment of discriminative wisdom).