Yoga Sūtra-s of Patanjali
Interpretation by Śrī Sādaśiva Brahmendra Sarasvati
Yoga Sudhākara
Pada II: Sādhana Pāda
Sūtra 6
The Asmita (mistaken identification of oneself) which is formed as a result of Avidya (Nescience) is explained in this Sūtra.
Sūtra 6:
The appearance of identity of Dṛg Śakti (power of seer), and Darśana Śakti (the instrumental power of seeing), is Asmita.
The feeling of false identification that I am both this Satva (mind) and Puruṣa (Ātma) is called Asmita.
[The body-mind unit cannot be considered as Ātma. In fact, Ātma is Dṛg Śakti, the power of seer. The mind and organs are Darśana Śakti, the instrumental power of seeing. An individual cannot identify himself with the body-mind unit; because Ātma is defined as ‘the feeling of I’ in him. Knowing the difference between them, between Ātma and the body-mind unit is an important step in Yoga. Before separating them through his Yogic learning and practice, one may feel that they are one due to his ignorance. This confusion and misunderstanding which exists before acquiring the Yogic knowledge, is called Asmita. As pointed out in previous Sūtra, Asmita is one of the causes of unhappiness and dissatisfaction in life.]
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पातन्जलयोगसूत्राणि
श्री सदाशिव ब्रह्मेन्द्र सरस्वत्या विरचितः
योगसुधाकरो वृत्तिः
द्वितीयो साधनपादः
अविद्यामूलास्मितामाह-
दृग्दर्शनशक्त्योरेकात्मतेवास्मिता॥६॥
सत्वपुरुषयोरहमस्मीत्येकताभिमानोऽस्मितेत्यर्थः।
'An individual cannot identify himself with the body-mind unit; because Ātma is defined as ‘the feeling of I’ in him.'
ReplyDeleteThis sentence makes me think about how we speak about possessions, eg if I am wearing a bangle and I am asked who it belongs to I would say that it is 'my bangle'. Similarly, if the next question is asking me where is the bangle, I would say that it is on 'my arm'.
So, I have a bangle, I have an arm, but I am neither the arm nor the bangle.
I say 'my mind' has wandered but I do not identify as the mind.
If we look closer at how we express about such matters, we realise that our language construction (hidden in plain sight?) indicates the truth of a difference, a separation between the body-mind unit and what is referred to as 'me'.
However, our identification with body-mind unit and associated label (name), seems a very tough programming to 'uninstall' or erase but fortunately for us we have many wonderful texts containing the ancient Indian wisdom to serve as a guide.
Many thanks for your efforts in disseminating that wisdom to us.
True. Fortunately we have many wonderful texts teaching this truth in life. But, unfortunately, we do not have the encouragement and circumstances to learn this in the society. Now situation is better; still, it is necessary that all work together to bring this traditional knowledge as common awareness in the society. That is the only way to build up a healthy society. Thank you.
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