Patanjali's Yogasutra | Dr. Kausthub Desikachar | II.18 | 17 Feb 2018

Introduction and Opening Mantra

The video begins with an opening mantra recitation in Sanskrit, followed by a brief introduction.

Tietwar Upamadhyam Prabhavati Jagatha

• The opening mantra is recited in Sanskrit.

• It is a prayer for blessings and guidance.

Patanjali's Invocation

• The speaker pays homage to Sage Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras.

• Patanjali is revered as the compiler of the Yoga Sutras and his teachings are highly respected.

Acknowledging Patanjali's Contribution

The speaker expresses gratitude towards Sage Patanjali and acknowledges his contribution to yoga philosophy.

Acknowledging Patanjali's Work

• The speaker expresses reverence towards Patanjali and offers respect.

• Emphasizes that he is paying respects to Patanjali as a mark of gratitude for his valuable teachings.

Introduction to Sutra 18

The speaker introduces Sutra 18 from Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras, following up on the discussion from Sutra 17 in the previous session.

Recap of Previous Session (Sutra 17)

• In Sutra 17, the relationship between Dhrashta (the seer) and Dhrashyam (the seen) was discussed as the cause of suffering.

• It was highlighted that confusion between these two entities leads to suffering.

Understanding Samyogata (Intimate Relationship)

The concept of Samyogata, or intimate relationship, between Dhrashta and Dhrashyam is explored further.

Confusion between Dhrashta and Dhrashyam

• The speaker explains that confusion arises because we often mistake the seer (Dhrashta) for the seen (Dhrashyam).

• This confusion leads to suffering as we fail to recognize their distinct nature.

Recognizing the Differences between Purusha and Prakriti

The differences between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) are discussed, emphasizing their distinct entities.

Intimate Relationship of Dissimilar Entities

• Purusha and Prakriti are fundamentally different entities.

• Despite their differences, they come together to fulfill a particular purpose or Dharma.

• This intimate relationship of dissimilar entities causes suffering.

Clarifying the Confusion

The importance of clarifying the confusion between Purusha and Prakriti is emphasized.

Responsibility to Clarify

• It is the responsibility of those who understand the distinction between Purusha and Prakriti to clarify it for others.

• Using an analogy, if someone buys a fake Rolex watch, they need an expert to explain why it's fake based on specific marks or symbols.

Exploring Prakriti First

The speaker explains why Patanjali starts by exploring Prakriti first before delving into Purusha.

Starting with What is Visible

• Patanjali begins with Prakriti because it is more easily identifiable than Purusha.

• By understanding what is visible or perceivable, one can gradually comprehend the subtler aspects.

Understanding Prakriti as Drishyam (Visible)

The qualities and attributes of Prakriti are discussed, focusing on its visibility.

Prakriti as Drishyam (Visible)

• Prakriti is referred to as Drishyam, that which is visible or perceivable.

• It includes qualities such as revealing light and color.

• Sattva, one of the Gunas, brings the quality of lightness and illumination.

Exploring the Qualities of Prakriti

The speaker elaborates on the qualities of Prakriti, including Shila (qualities), Atma (essence), and Artha (purpose).

Three Attributes of Prakriti

• Prakashakriya: Revealing or glowing quality.

• Titi Shilam: Qualities that can be perceived.

• Bhote Indriyatma Khambhoga Pavargartham: Matter that serves a purpose.

Connecting Sattva with Pitta in Ayurveda

The connection between Sattva and Pitta in Ayurveda is explained.

Sattva and Pitta Connection

• Sattva is associated with Pitta dosha in Ayurveda.

• Pitta brings color to various aspects like skin, blood, bile, saliva, nails, etc.

• Ranjaka Pitta specifically gives color to different elements.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the qualities of lightness and how they relate to color perception. They explain the concept of radiance and its connection to different colors.

Lightness and Color Perception

• Lightness is a quality that helps us understand and differentiate colors.

• The temperature of light, represented by the color wheel, affects the radiance and perception of different colors.

• Prakashā, associated with lightness, reveals color and visibility. It also has the ability to lighten our thoughts.

• Kriya, or activity, is connected to movement and is associated with rajas or vata. Every action involves some form of movement in our body.

• Vata is related to neurological functions such as messages between the brain and body parts. It also influences blood circulation.

• Change is an activity associated with vata. We are constantly changing physically and mentally throughout our lives.

New Section

This section explores the role of vata in various activities and emphasizes that we are a combination of all three gunas - vata, pitta, and kapha.

Vata's Role in Activities

• Vata is responsible for various activities in our body, including movement, communication between body parts through messages from the brain, circulation of blood, and growth.

• Stity refers to stability or having a stable form. Tamas brings stability to our system through bone structure.

• Resting is important for stability and sleep is supported by tamas according to Patanjali.

• Kapha brings stability to our system and is related to bone problems in older age.

• Rest is crucial for our daily life, and tamas plays a role in supporting restful activities such as sleep.

• We are a combination of all three gunas - vata, pitta, and kapha. Pure dominance of any one guna is not possible.

New Section

This section highlights the importance of understanding the function rather than just the form when considering the gunas. It also emphasizes that everything has a function.

Function Over Form

• Nobody is made up of only one guna. We are always a combination of all three - sattva, rajas, and tamas.

• Understanding our dominant guna helps us understand ourselves better, but we cannot be purely one guna.

• Pure vata would result in constant movement without boundaries or form. Pure kapha would lead to no movement at all.

• All three gunas have their own functions and play important roles in our lives.

• The principle of yoga focuses on looking at function rather than form. Everything has a purpose or function, including our body parts like skin, hair, and nails.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses how sattva allows for brilliance of mind while tamas aids memory storage. They emphasize the importance of both qualities.

Brilliance of Mind and Memory Storage

• Sattva allows for a brilliant mind and lightness of thoughts, which is essential for studying and learning.

• Tamas aids in memory storage and acts as a data bank. It helps us remember information and process it.

Understanding the Relationship Between Reality and Memory

This section explores how our perception of reality is influenced by our memory and the concept of Vatta as an activity that processes what is visible in the present moment and what is stored in memory.

The Role of Vatta in Processing Reality

• Our perception of reality is not solely based on memory.

• Vatta is responsible for processing what is visible now and what is stored in memory.

• It plays a crucial role in differentiating between past experiences and present observations.

The Importance of All Three Functions for Everyday Life

• Patanjali emphasizes the need for all three functions (reality, memory, and processing) in our daily lives.

• Even lazy individuals have some level of functional activities happening within them, such as blood circulation and breathing.

• We cannot be free from Gunas (qualities), as they are inherent to our existence.

Differentiating Between Prakriti and Purusha

• Prakriti represents matter with Gunas (qualities), while Purusha does not possess these three Gunas (Satva, Rajas, Tamas).

• Purusha has other Gunas like Nyanam (knowledge) and Anandam (joy).

Understanding the Concept of Guna

This section delves into the concept of Guna as a technical term representing Satva, Rajas, and Tamas. It also highlights that Purusha possesses different Gunas like Nyanam (knowledge) and Anandam (joy).

The Dual Meaning of Guna

• In Sanskrit, Guna can refer to Satva, Rajas, and Tamas or represent nature.

• Acharya Kishnam Acharya states that Purusha has two Gunas: Nyanam (knowledge) and Anandam (joy).

• Purusha's knowledge is different from scientific or memory-based knowledge; it stems from experience and realization.

Clarifying the Nature of Purusha

• Purusha is Saguna, meaning it is made up of Satva, Rajas, and Tamas.

• However, it is incorrect to say that Purusha is Nirguna (without Gunas), as it possesses other Gunas.

Understanding the Composition of Prakriti

This section explores the composition of Prakriti, which consists of Bhutas (elements) and Indriyas (senses).

The Elements Constituting Prakriti

• Prakriti is made up of Bhutas (five elements): Earth, water, fire, wind, and space.

• These elements exist in different proportions in various entities like rocks, animals, and plants.

• Each element has specific qualities and functions associated with it.

The Functionality of the Elements

• Earth provides structure (Thairiyatvam).

• Water brings stickiness (Snekh Datta) and helps bind tissues together.

• Fire represents temperature (Ushnata) within an entity.

• Wind enables mobility (Chalatwa) in various body parts.

• Space element gives pervasiveness and defines boundaries.

Exploring Functions Associated with Elements

This section delves into the functions associated with each element. It clarifies that these functions should not be taken literally but rather symbolize certain qualities or attributes.

Symbolic Functions of the Elements

• The functions attributed to each element are symbolic representations rather than literal interpretations.

• Earth provides structure; water brings stickiness; fire represents temperature; wind enables mobility, and space defines boundaries.

• These functions are not limited to their physical manifestations but encompass broader concepts.

The Existence of Elements in Prakriti

This section emphasizes that the preceding elements always exist in the Sankhya and Yoga philosophies. It also highlights that all entities, including rocks, possess the five elements in different proportions.

The Permanence of Elements

• In Sankhya and Yoga philosophies, the preceding elements always exist.

• All entities, including rocks, animals, and plants, have the five elements in varying proportions.

• Even seemingly inert objects like rocks exhibit characteristics associated with these elements.

New Section

This section discusses the elements and their qualities, emphasizing that each element contains the qualities of the previous elements.

Elements and Their Qualities

• The elements are discussed in the following order: space, wind, fire, water, and earth.

• Each element contains the qualities of the previous elements. For example, fire has the qualities of wind, space, and fire itself.

• Patanjali focuses on sentient beings like humans and animals when discussing the capacity to sense.

• All senses are hosted in the Bhuta (element), meaning that different senses are connected with different elements. For example, smelling is connected with the earth element while tasting is connected with the water element.

• Senses are not limited to specific body parts; they can be felt throughout the body. Deaf people can feel vibrations.

• Every cell in a living being is able to sense and perceive because senses exist at a cellular level as well.

• Non-sentient beings also have some sensory capacity. For example, stones or pieces of wood may change their chemical composition when in contact with other organisms.

New Section

This section explores how non-sentient beings perceive and interact with their environment.

Sensory Capacity in Non-Sentient Beings

• Non-sentient beings may have sensory capacities even if they cannot express them like humans do.

• When two non-living things come into contact, such as chemicals reacting together, there must be some sensory capacity involved.

• Patanjali states that Prakriti (nature) has the capacity for perception, whether it is sentient or not.

• Prakriti has a purpose: bhoga (enjoyment) or apavargah (letting go). This purpose is for the experience of Purusha (consciousness).

• Bhoga means to experience, and it is the Purusha who enjoys, not Prakriti. The metaphor of watching a 3D movie with special glasses is used to explain how Prakriti serves as a medium for Purusha's enjoyment.

New Section

This section delves deeper into the concept of enjoyment and experience in relation to Purusha and Prakriti.

Experience for Purusha

• The experience is meant for Purusha, not Prakriti. For example, a dead person cannot enjoy food or music because the consciousness has departed.

• In Sanke and Yoga philosophy, the one who enjoys is the Purusha.

• Prakriti does not enjoy; it serves as a medium through which Purusha experiences things.

• A metaphor of 3D movies with special glasses and surround sound systems is used to illustrate how Prakriti facilitates the experience for Purusha.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of perception and experience in relation to the body and senses.

The Role of Brakirti in Perception

• The body and senses, like the seats and glasses in a cinema, help us perceive and experience the world around us.

• Brakirti is the aspect that assists Purusha (the inner self) in perceiving and experiencing.

• It is important to understand that the body and senses are not the ones directly perceiving or experiencing; they merely facilitate this process for Purusha.

Understanding Ego and Identity

• Ego refers to our attachment to our physical bodies, senses, nationality, religion, etc.

• Our true reality lies in Purusha, while ego is an identity associated with external factors.

• Just as we don't take cinema seats or airplane seats with us after using them, we should let go of our identification with the body and senses once their purpose is fulfilled.

Fulfilling Dharma

• Like a seat on an airplane, our bodies serve a purpose (Dharma), which should be fulfilled.

• When we abandon our identification with the body after fulfilling its purpose, it doesn't mean it goes to waste; it can be useful for someone else or become part of nature's cycle.

• We often get attached to our identities based on egoic factors like nationality or religion. However, these identifications lead to conflicts rather than aligning with our true purpose (Dharma).

Discovering and Fulfilling Dharma

• Each individual has a unique Dharma to fulfill, which goes beyond societal roles like being a yoga teacher or a parent.

• Procrastination should be avoided, and one must actively discover and fulfill their Dharma.

• Fulfilling our Dharma leads to liberation, while neglecting it perpetuates the cycle of birth and death.

Enjoyment without Attachment

• The purpose of existence is for Purusha to experience the world, but without becoming attached to it.

• We are meant to enjoy the world created by the divine but not get attached to it.

• Just as we don't stay in a cinema theater indefinitely, we should enjoy the world and then liberate ourselves from attachment.

New Section

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of self-realization and understanding one's true nature.

Self-Realization and Liberation

• Self-realization involves recognizing our true nature beyond egoic identifications.

• Liberation comes from realizing that we are not limited by our bodies or external factors; our essence is eternal and interconnected with everything.

Transcending Limitations

• By transcending egoic limitations, we can tap into our unlimited potential.

• Our true nature is pure consciousness that exists beyond time, space, and physical boundaries.

The Illusion of Separation

• The perception of separation between individuals arises from egoic identifications rather than reflecting reality.

• Recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings leads to a deeper understanding of our true nature.

The Path to Self-Realization

• Practices like yoga and meditation can help us quiet the mind and connect with our inner self.

• Through self-inquiry and introspection, we can uncover our true essence and realize our interconnectedness with all of existence.

Embracing Oneness

• Embracing oneness means recognizing that we are not separate individuals but expressions of the same universal consciousness.

• By letting go of egoic identifications, we can experience unity and harmony with ourselves and the world around us.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of living in alignment with one's true nature and offers insights on how to cultivate a harmonious life.

Living Authentically

• Living authentically means aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with our true nature.

• It involves being honest with ourselves, embracing vulnerability, and expressing our unique gifts.

Cultivating Inner Peace

• Inner peace arises from connecting with our inner self through practices like meditation.

• By quieting the mind and letting go of attachments, we can experience a deep sense of tranquility.

Nurturing Relationships

• Building healthy relationships requires authenticity, compassion, and open communication.

• It involves seeing others as reflections of ourselves and treating them with kindness and respect.

Finding Purpose

• Discovering our purpose involves exploring our passions, values, and unique talents.

• By aligning our actions with our purpose, we can experience a sense of fulfillment and contribute to the greater good.

Embracing Change

• Change is inevitable, and embracing it allows for personal growth and transformation.

• Letting go of resistance to change enables us to adapt, learn, and evolve on our journey.

New Section

In this section, the speaker explores the concept of surrendering to the flow of life and finding peace amidst challenges.

Surrendering to Life's Flow

• Surrendering involves letting go of control and trusting in the natural flow of life.

• It requires accepting what is and embracing uncertainty with an open heart.

Cultivating Inner Strength

• Inner strength comes from connecting with our inner self and tapping into our innate resilience.

• Through practices like meditation and self-reflection, we can cultivate inner strength to navigate life's challenges.

The Nourishment of Worldly Things

In this section, the speaker compares our relationship with worldly things to having a meal. Just as we cannot keep eating after a satisfying meal without feeling sick, constantly seeking nourishment from worldly things can lead to spiritual dissatisfaction.

The Limitations of Worldly Enjoyment

• Constantly seeking nourishment from worldly things will eventually lead to spiritual dissatisfaction.

• While it is important to enjoy the world, it should be done within limits so as not to become too attached to that enjoyment.

• Both enjoyment (Boga) and liberation (Apavarga) are functions for which the world has been created.

• Misusing or abusing worldly things goes against their intended purpose and leads to spiritual harm.

Importance of Balance

• Both enjoyment and liberation are important aspects of life.

• Prakriti, the material nature of the world, is endowed with qualities and purposes that provide enjoyment for individuals (Boga), as well as liberation (Apavarga).

Understanding Prakriti

This section delves deeper into understanding Prakriti - its qualities, composition, and purpose in providing both enjoyment and liberation.

Qualities and Composition of Prakriti

• Prakriti possesses qualities such as Satva, Rajas, and Thamas.

• It is constituted by both the Indriyas (the senses) and the five elements.

Purpose of Prakriti

• Prakriti serves the purpose of providing enjoyment of the world to the individual (Boga) and facilitating liberation (Apavarga).

• Even liberation is only possible through Prakriti, emphasizing the importance of not rejecting or abandoning it.