Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
by Makarand Gopal Newalkar | 2017 | 82,851 words | ISBN-13: 9780893890926
Yoga-sutras 1.3, English translation with modern and ancient interpretation. The Patanjali Yogasutras describe an ancient Indian tradition spanning over 5000 years old dealing with Yoga:—Meditating the mind on the Atma leading to the realization of self. This study interprets the Yogasutras in light of both ancient and modern commentaries (e.g., Vyasa and Osho) while supporting both Sankhya and Vedanta philosophies.
Sūtra 1.3
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of sūtra 1.3:
तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम् ॥ १.३ ॥
tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe'vasthānam || 1.3 ||
(3) Then the seer abides in itself.
Ancient and Modern interpretation:
When the buddhi does not perceive any object and when the mind is in such a state, what will be nature of puruṣa—the knower of the buddhi?
Vyāsa says,[1] at that time pure consciousness—the Seer abides in its own self, as it does in the state of liberation. Complete cessation of all fluctuations, is the state of kaivalya. In this state mind disappears never to appear again. In nirodha, suppression of the mind is for a temporary period. The seer abiding in itself is thus an identification of his state of mind as per Vyāsa.[2]
After the modifications of the citta are completely stopped, the seer is established in his true essence (svarūpa). Taimni[3] calls this stage ‘Self-Realization’. However, since we are involved in the play of cittavṛtti- s, we cannot comprehend it without and this state can be realized only within.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Āranya, op.cit., p. 11.