Īśvara in Yoga Philosophy

Yoga philosophy establishes that Īśvara has the constituent of Sattva only. The elements of rajas and tamas are absent in him. Īśvara is a particular self and not the creator and preserver of the universe. God is a unique Puruṣa untouched by the vehicles of affection, action and fruition. He is different from other Puruṣas. He is ever free and so cannot be confused with freed souls who were once bound or those absorbed in Prakṛti, who may incur slavery in future. A special type of Puruṣa is Īśvara which is untouched by kleśa, karma, vipāka or āśaya. In the yoga philosophy Prakṛti and Puruṣa are different from each other. The world is created by their union. This union is due to Avidya, though Īśvara does not create the world. Mahābhārata says various obstacles on the path of yoga. It states that diseases, contacts with undesirables, exertion and trouble caused by uprooting of desires lead to displeasure. These obstacles can be removed by various means. They can be removed by the knowledge of God, that is by concentrating one’s own mind upon the God.

According to Mahābhārata kṣetrajña is to be self illuminated, devoid of any mark and qualities. He has only knowledge as his sign. He knows the beginning, the middle and the end of all the creative actions of guṇās. In the Yoga system Īśvara is instrumental in liberation of beings since Īśvarapraṇidhāna is one of the means to attain kaivalya. Mahābhārata elaborates that a yogin who strives with perseverence cleanses him of all the sins, perfects him through many lives and attains the highest goal. The ultimate aim of Yoga Philosophy is to realize the soul by concentrating the mind on the soul.