PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS = POST-22 –Ch.1: VERSE 24,25,26 = EESHWARA THE OMNISCIENT TEACHER OF TEACHERS

PATANJALI

YOGA SUTRAS

POST-22 –VERSE 24,25,26

CHAPTER.1 : SAMAADHI PAADHA

In the last 4 posts, we saw how the Sadhaka attains Samprajnaatha Samaadhi and Asamprajnaatha Samaadhi.

For the Sadhaka who pursues his Sadhana or practice with great determination, enthusiasm and speed, the goal itself comes very near. Sadhakas tend to practice with varying degrees of intensity – from very low to very high intensities -  and hence, the result also varies according to the level of such intensity.

Lastly, in Vs.23, we also saw that - a total surrender or dedication of all the fruits of our actions to the Supreme Lord called Eeshwara, also results in liberation. But, who is this Eeshwara?

APHORISM.24

klesha karma vipaaka

asayaih aparaamristah

purusha-vishesha Eeshvarah

Ø  klesha =  painful; distress;

Ø  karma = actions,

Ø  vipaka = ripe; maturing,

Ø  ashayaih = resting place, abode;

Ø  aparamristah = untouched, unaffected;

Ø  purusha-vishesha =  a special purusha ( a superior conscious being)

Ø  Eeshvara =  The lord of Creation

That Lord of creation called Eeshwara is a special consciousness-being  who always remains completely and totally unaffected by all painful afflictions, actions (karmas) and results of those actions which affect all other beings.

Yoga Sutras accept and eulogize the primacy of Eeshwara and as earlier said,  Yoga accepts that surrender to him can lead to liberation. 

Since Yoga Sutras concentrate more on what a Sadhaka should do and should not do in his inward journey – the concept is Eeshwara is given very briefly and the balance is left for understanding from  other works of earlier masters.

APHORISM.25

thathra nirathishayam

sarvajnathva beejam

Ø  thathra =  in that special purusha called Eeshwara

Ø  nirathishayam = unsurpassed by any others, limitless

Ø  sarvajnathva =  the capability for omniscience or all pervasive wisdom

Ø  beejam = seed

In that Highest Consciousness-being called Eeshvara,  omniscience has attained  its highest form  which cannot be exceeded by any others. In others, it is in a mere seed form.

This explanation about Eeshwara by Patanjali indicates many other contingent qualities of Eeshwara as well.

A being who is omniscient and all knowing, must be present at all places, all the time. Thus, he must be omnipresent too. Other scriptures and other great writers talk of Eeshwara in similar terms. 

Adi Sankara says brahman coupled with Maya is Eeshwara. Maya is the entire Universe or Prakrithi itself. Nothing is outside of it. Brahman is the pure consciousness-witness which is present everywhere.

The comparison of man with Eeshwara is also beautiful.Omniscience is in its totality in the Eeshwara - It is like a beautiful flower which has totally blossomed, in which the colour and fragrance are at its peak. But, in other people - this omniscience is in "seed" form. This also implies - that all others are capable of flowering into Godliness ultimately.

APHORISM.26

sa poorvesham api

guruh kaalena

anavachchhedhaath

Ø  sa = along with

Ø  purvesham = earlier, ancient;

Ø  api = also

Ø  guruh = teacher

Ø  kaalena = by time

Ø anavacchedhaath = without brakes / divisions, continuous;

That pure consciousness–being of Eeshwara was the teacher / Guru even for the  most ancient teachers. Thus, Eeshwara is the Adi Yogi - who taught Yoga to all other Yogis - all other teachers who taught from the most ancient times. It must be evident - that Patanjali is also accepting Eeshwara as his first Guru.


It is therefore customary in Yoga teaching to chant a Hymn - " Sadaa Siva samaarambhaam Sankaraacharya madhyamaam, asmadhaacharya paryamthaam vamde Guru paramparaam: = Which means, I salute the lineage of the Great Gurus starting with Sadaa Siva (or Eeshwara), Adi Sankaracharya who is in the middle of this great lineage, and up to my own Great Guru - all of them.This is slightly modified by some sections - but, in general, Eeshwara is accepted as the Adi Guru - by all, including Patanjali.

This Eeshwara has never been never limited by the constraints of time and his existence is always, continuous and without breaks.He is therefore without Beginning and without End.

The necessity of Guru is also emphasized through this verse. This universal wisdom can only come to a Yogi, from the omniscient wisdom of Eeshwara. Otherwise, it remains in seed form in other Sadhakas.

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