Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)

by Makarand Gopal Newalkar | 2017 | 82,851 words | ISBN-13: 9780893890926

Yoga-sutras 4.17, 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.

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of sūtra 4.17:

तदुपरागापेक्षित्वाच्चित्तस्य वस्तु ज्ञाताज्ञातम् ॥ ४.१७ ॥

taduparāgāpekṣitvāccittasya vastu jñātājñātam || 4.17 ||

(17) External objects are known or unknown to the mind according as they colour the mind.

Ancient and Modern interpretation:

Araṇya explains that object and mind meet inside the body and mutation of mind takes place in hṛdaya (the heart-centre of consiousness), where perception of objects appear and disappear.

Osho opines,[1]

“the object is known or unknown depending upon whether the object is coloured by it or not.”

This sūtra indicates that unless state of no mind is achieved, ignorance cannot be destroyed. For this comtemplate on what you know and what you do not know. Do not go on memorizing. The Vedas and scriptures would make you a great scholar. Watch yourself, meditate and be aware of what you are doing. Destroy your ego. Then one gets glimpse of sleeping with no dreams or no thought and he is close to Divine. This is Advaitic point of view.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ibid, p.78

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