After having helped the aspirants with the modifications of mind and their nature, Sage Patanjali takes us ahead with the principle of establishing Yogic practices with consistent efforts while staying non-attached to the outcome. He quotes, अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः॥१२॥ Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tannirodhah) Translation: The modifications and habits of mind are overcome by practice and by detachment for those things we cannot…
In our series of articles on Patanjali YogSutras, we are studying the vruttis (modifications) of our Buddhi (mind) as told by Sage Patanjali. So far, we have seen four modifications in detail, namely- प्रमाण (pramana), विपर्यय (viparyaya), विकल्प (vikalpa) and निद्रा (nidra). In his next verse, sage Patanjali talks about स्मृति i.e., memory as next and the last modification of…
In our series of articles on Patanjali YogSutras, we are studying the vruttis (modifications) of our Buddhi (mind) as told by Sage Patanjali. So far, we have seen three modifications in detail, namely- प्रमाण (pramana), विपर्यय (viparyaya) and विकल्प (vikalpa). In his next aphorism, Sage Patanjali suggests Nidra i.e., sleep as the next modification of our mind that poses as…
Sage Patanjali in his next aphorism explains about Vikalpa, the third Vrutii (nature) of our Buddhi (mind) that poses as a distraction in the journey of an aspirant. He quotes, शब्दज्ञानानुपाती वस्तुशून्यो विकल्पः । Translation: “Knowledge gained by words, but devoid of a corresponding object is vikalpa.” Here, the word Vikalpa means fantasy, imagination, projection, mental concepts or theories. Imagination is that which, due to the usage of…
Sage Patanjali, after enlightening us about what is correct knowledge and the process to gain it, in his next aphorism helps us to understand misconceptions and how are they formed. He very aptly quotes, विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम्॥८॥ Translation: Misperception arises when you accept the unreal as real or when knowledge of something is not based upon its true form. Sage Patanjali…
After having understood the nature of the mind and its fluctuations, Sage Patanjali enlightens us about the next level of self-realization. As we have understood so far, Knowledge also is a fluctuation of mind which if not correct, can distract the seer (Yoga aspirant or soul) from the path of Samadhi. It is a self-established fact that we can overcome…
In our previous article of the series, we have learnt about the nature of modifications of mind. We saw how the modifications are like a coin with 2 sides and how each side follows the other in a circle. The eternal or never-ending modifications of mind (Vrutti) and the associated philosophical or practical transformation (Parinama) form the very basic of…
In the first 4 sutras (aphorisms), we have seen what is Yog and what is the natural state of mind. In our previous articles, we posed an example of our mind being the lake and true nature of self-realization being the moon. Sticking to the same example, we will try to understand the next aphorism. The modifications of mind are the waves on the…
The first chapter of Patanjal Yog Darshan is Samadhi Pada, i.e., the path of enlightenment. This chapter answers the basic question “What is Yoga?” It talks about the psychology of a human being in general and how an aspirant can clear his hurdles in his path of solitary. Our mind is like a lake of water and our soul is…
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