8. Obstacles (upasarga) in the Path of Yoga

In the Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, Dattātreya explains to Alarka about the obstacles i.e. upasargas in the path of yoga and its five varieties. There are many objects which make one to engage in many acts like, a desire to human enjoyment like, woman, donations fruits, learning, the power to use māyā, constructing wells, wealth, heaven, god-head, immortals, chemical works, flying over the stormed-winds, sacrifices, power of entering water and fire, śrāddhas, observing rituals, fasting, meritorious work, worshipping the gods.^[1]

A Yogin faces another five kinds of disturbance at the time of practicing Yoga. These are prātibha i.e. illusive vision, śrāvaṇa i.e. from hearing all kinds of sound, daiva i.e. from the deity, bhrama i.e. from the polluted mind, āvarta i.e. from confusion. These terrible disturbances tend to embarrass the Yogin. To get rid of those obstacles the Yogī must have proper knowledge about yoga. He should fix his mind to meditate on the Supreme Brahma.^[2] It is urged that the Yogin should always try to keep himself free from the urges of the upasargas. These five upasargas arise out of sattva, rajas and tamas. However, the Yogin should get over these upasargas directing his mind towards the highest Brahman and meditating upon this Brahman.