Patanjal Yoga Sutras - IV

 

 

 

The three previous articles have dealt with the three chapters of Patanjal Yoga Sutras defining Yoga, its purpose, means to calm down the mind and elevate consciousness.The fourth chapter of Patanjal Yoga Sutras is called Kaivalya Pada or the portion dealing with enlightenment. It has thirty four aphorisms. This segment is more philosophical in nature. Indian philosophers have conceptualised a state of consciousness without any dualism or traces of thoughts. This state is the pure consciousness and it is known by many epithets like Moksha, Mukti, Nirvana, Kaivalya, etc. The best part of this philosophy is that it is achieved in life time and while one is alive. It is a subjective experience of unbroken unity of the self. An enlightened person transcends the dualism of pain and pleasure and gets established in a state of equanimity and purity. The Kaivalyapada starts with the description of Siddhis or miraculous powers which are acquired through birth, some herbs or medicines, sacred words, austerity and Samadhi or the purest state of consciousness (4:1). These Siddhis are the special powers which act like miracles. There are examples of many child prodigies who showed exceptional talent at a very early age. Adi Shankaracharya memorised the entire Vedic literature at the age of eight. Mozart was a child genius who composed music at the age of four.

 

There are many more examples of such child prodigies. There are some herbs or chemicals which heighten the abilities in an extraordinary manner. We often come across the news of the consumption of such drugs by athletes. Mantras or sacred words have very strong vibrations. Their chanting produces an extraordinary impact on the mind. Penance and austerities have been found to be miraculously rewarding. Samadhi or the purest state of consciousness leads to the realisation of deep and unknown truths. Patanjali mentions that a Yogi can miraculously transform his body and mind through these Siddhis (4:2). This is a very mysterious Yogic process. He again states that with the help of these Siddhis he can exhaust his Karmas or actions and get enlightenment in the present life itself. Like an evolutionary scientist Patanjali describes how Sanskaras or impressions of actions and Vasanas or intense desires are carried forward to the character of an individual from life to life (4:9). The theory of evolution propounds that genetic traits have come down to us through evolution. Our emotions or intelligence have evolved over ages.

 

Darwin was of the opinion that our rational and behavioural traits have come to us in a carry forward manner over millennia. The Yoga philosophy of Patanjali is based upon the Sankhya philosophy of the sage Kapil. The Sankhya philosophy postulates the creation as the interplay of the Purusha and Prakriti. The Purush is pure consciousness and the Prakriti is material. But due to ignorance, the Purusha identifies himself with the material Prakriti. So by the practice of Yoga and discriminative knowledge, this ignorance is removed and the Purusha is established in its pristine and pure form (4:26).That is Kaivalya or enlightenment. In this chapter we find a beautiful psychological description of how actions leave impressions in the mind and in turn these impressions again give rise to further actions, triggering a chain (4:8).The tranquil and blissful state of consciousness is realised by removing these seeds of mental impressions through multiple Yogic techniques. These Yogic prescriptions of Patanjali are like modern day psychotherapeutic treatment of the tumultuous mind.