Different levels of attachment; Surrender and Devotion to Isvara
19. बवप्रत्यमो णवदहेप्रकृणतरमानाभ ॥् १९॥
bhavapratyayo videhaprakritilayanam
“(This Samadhi, when not followed by extreme non-attachment) becomes the cause of the re-manifestation of the gods and of those that become merged in nature.”
The Saints and Swamis in the Indian systems represent certain high offices which are being filled successively by various souls. But very few of them are perfect.
“Perfection” being that of the final stage of Samadhi, categorised in Sutra 1:18. This sutra is a return in further detail to Sutra 1:17 referring to those who are in various states of absorbed emergent and non emergent prakriti.
As Patanjali will go into further details later, the first stages of Samadhi have various states and are still tethered as it were to existence and still demonstrating strengths and skills that one may associate with singularity will and abilities yet are not effulgent realised God state of enlightenment.
We would propose that he returns to this statement in order to reframe Bhakti and duality of Sankhya philosophy of a frame or codified step to Union via devotion, love or Ishvara that follows.
These of Beings who would fall into two categories such as Videhas - those who are unembodied, and Prakrti-layas - those who are merged with matter. Both are at various fluctuating states of the material plane. Remembering that the material begins at the source of materialism in Sankhya philosophy at the very beginning of all creation is still motion, matter, material.
The 25 Tattvas clearly indicate the levels of essence and wisdom that can be pertained to these states including the receivership of embodiment of ‘Correct Knowledge’ - in this state of Samadhi entangled still with Self -Identity. (Duality)
20. श्रद्धावीमस्म य णृतसभाणधप्रऻाऩवूक य इतयषेाभ ॥् २०॥
shraddhaviryasmritisamadhiprajnapoorvaka itaresham
“To others (this Samadhi) comes through faith, energy, memory, concentration, and discrimination of what is real.”
These are they who do not want the position of gods, or even that of rulers of cycles. They attain to liberation.
“This Samadhi” being that of Sutra 1:18. In 1:19 “they return to prakrti…”.
Here as above they continue with vigor, faith, concentration and discrimination to real Yoga (union) attained by real Yogis.
Using the stage of identification of Self to become One through faith (clarity of mind) and other attained attributes of continuation to the actual goal. This is done by seeing clearly (Sankara - scriptural knowledge) that one’s persistence coupled with Prajna - discernment, and quality of resolute integrity of prakrti (Virya - vigor and rigor) motion matter to achieve the end is given so that that motion shows the way to Purusa.
This is leading to the ultimate discernment of being in a state of Prakrti to that of Purusa.
Once this is achieved then the uncoupling of the vrittis - wave forms in their entirety begins.
If we are to think we have uncouple the mind in advancement of wishing or to project this outwards, this is how self delusion occurs.
So “up” or “in”.
21. तीव्रसवं गे ानाभ आ् सि् ॥ २१॥
tivrasanveganam aasannah
“Success is speeded for the intensely energetically applied.”
Fervour, Ojas, One pointedness. Faith, Vigor, Rigor, Discernment.
Concentrate Will. Two fold both ways - Physics.
Beyond flow state. Concentrate / Meditate / Altered State.
“Energetic” being those who wish to create the praanic state required to pursue, liberation via the bliss body of Samadhi into Union.
Hence the recommendation to give up worldly endeavors, this requires all of your time, energy and focus, coupled with faith and discernment.
22. भदुृभध्याणधभात्रत्वात त् तोऽणऩ णवशषे् ॥ २२॥
mridumadhyadhimatratvat tatopi visheshah
“They again differ according as the means are mild, medium or supreme.”
The speed of success depends on the intensity of the commitment.
Again these are mild, medium or supreme in either direction:
Mrdu - mild, Madhya - mediocre, Adhimatra - extreme.
The neurons know and reciprocate the journey. Wavering brings a lesser quality of experience.
23. ईश्वयप्रणिधानाद ्वा ॥ २३॥
eeshvarapranidhanad va
Or by devotion to Isvara.
“I and the Father are One.”
Or by the Grace of God.
This belief in God goes back to the Katha Upanishad and throughout the Late Vedas. Noted six times in the Atharvavada 1000 BCE (circa). Not to be confused with Vishnu, Siva and Krisna who all decree that they are rooted in Ishvara as recited the Puranas.
God has and is integrated into the Yogic system from its root. It’s not a new colonial adaptation. Ishvara contains within it the extraordinary power and miraculous sovereignty.
Faith and Grace of God are not scientifically induced, nor can it be educated inwardly as indoctrination, it occurs as an authentic surrender to Ishvara through total belief.
Grace is the reciprocation of that love and devotion.
We are offered this opportunity to know aspects of God within ourselves at the beginning of the Eight Limbs of Yoga in the Yamas and Niyamas.
24. िेशकभणय वऩाकाशमय ै ऩयाभष्टृ् ऩरुुषणवशषे ईश्वय् ॥ २४॥
kleshakarmavipakashayairaparamrishtah purushavishesh eeshvarah
Isvara (the Supreme Ruler) is a special Purusa, untouched by misery, the results of actions, or desires.
Ishvara is a Special (Visesa) Purusa.
Unattached devotion as in the Bhagavad Gita - Surrender to God.
Isvara or Ishvara is untouched by Kelshas (obstacles of ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion and fear of death), Karmas, Vipaka (the karmic ripples that entangle outwards and return to us) Samskaras (latent tendencies), Samsaras (Unique life), Vrttis (thoughts) and Smrtis (memories). Beyond time and experience. These are further detailed as their implications nuance and subtleties are varied and far spread throughout time.
Isvara is Unbound Purusa. Never had or will be attached to the bonds of Purusas. Isvara is unlike a liberated Yogi - never bound in the first instance.
Ishvara or Isvara is referred to both as a personal God in the Mahabharata and Later as the Supreme Godhead or God as above.
Devotion indicates a personal nature to a relationship of surrender if we look at this as pure energy then we still see that those who are at peace (sattva nature) are devotees to Ishvara.
25. तत्र णनयणतशमंसवऻ य त्वफीजभ ॥् २५॥
tatra niratishayan sarvajntvabijam
In Him becomes infinite that all-knowing-ness which in others is (only) a germ.
We are many blessed with the seed of knowing the calling to awareness. For this seed to flourish and bloom effulgent comes only to those who are devoted in truth.
Here the enlightened one becomes like the swan, half in the world of material by design the other totally aligned to God. This is what is meant by the Swami designation 1008. “One with God”.
“Although I am unborn and my nature is imperishable
And although I am the Isvara of all beings
Yet I come into being by my own power
By controlling Prakrti, which is mine.”
Bhagavad Gita 4:6
26. स ऩवूष े ाभ ् अणऩ गरुु् कारेनानवच्छदेात ॥् २६॥
sa poorvesham api guruh kalenanavachchhedat
He is the Teacher of even the ancient teachers, being not limited by time.
In quantum physics this being is able to affect past present and future by mere presence. There is only presence.
Star / eye and neutrons example.
What is known as the golden thread that which we all seek throughout time it calls. An inner calling and answering to those who ask.
“That which is unspeakable, unperceivable and unknowable.” - The Vedas
Applied Practices
Truth {Direct evidence from those who lead the way}
What is your source of truth? How is the recognition of truth cultivated, discerned and embodied.
What is God to you? Are you more like to meet the ojas, persistence of the practices or feel drawn to the bhakti / bhakta.
Inference {Logic / Reasoning}
Contemplate the nature of correct knowledge and how in turn that improves abilities to discern. How the relationship is two directional, the seeker seeks and what is sort seeks the seeker.
Experience {Practice}
Practice, Jnana Yoga - Self Study, Bhakti Yoga - devotion, Raja Yoga - meditation and Karma Yoga - service - what fits you at this time of life, what comes naturally or what burns the fire of your persistence?
Let’s Discuss
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