Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
by Makarand Gopal Newalkar | 2017 | 82,851 words | ISBN-13: 9780893890926
Yoga-sutras 2.23, 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 2.23
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of sūtra 2.23:
स्वस्वामिशक्त्योः स्वरूपोपलब्धिहेतुः संयोगः ॥ २.२३ ॥
svasvāmiśaktyoḥ svarūpopalabdhihetuḥ saṃyogaḥ || 2.23 ||
(23) Alliance is the means of realising the nature of the object of the knower and owner, the knower (i.e. the sort of alliance which contributes to the realisation of the Seer and the Seen is this relationship).
Ancient and Modern interpretation:
Osho explains,[1]
“The seer and the seen come together so that the real nature of each may be realized.The cause of this union is ignorance.”
To be united with the world which is like a dream, to be united with the body, with the mind-which you are not is the necessity.Throgh this union, one will realize that this is false and final union will happen.When you are divorced with the world you get married with divine.
Taimni says, this sūtra gives the ideas underlying the theory of evolution and he has brought generalization in theory of evolution which modern science has not been able to explain.Modern science revolves only about evolution from simple to complex forms, but the evolution of life—caitanya or consciousness is not thought about.That is considered in this sūtra.
The alliance of puruṣa and prakṛti is the main cause of misery and aim of yoga is to eradicate same.The alliance of both is for liberation of puruṣa and also to achieve balance of triguṇas of prakṛti so that it has pratiprasava and it goes back to its original state.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Osho, op.cit., p.12,13