Yoga-sutra with Bhashya Vivarana (study)
by Susmi Sabu | 2013 | 55,404 words
This essay studies the enduring and relevance of Yoga in India, highlighting its evolution from a comprehensive philosophy to primarily a physical practice. It further underscores the importance of studying Yoga texts to understand its historical trajectory. Special attention is given to the Patanjala Yogasutra Bhashya Vivarana, a significant work ...
The concept of Prakrti or Pradhana (in Yoga)
In Yoga philosophy, the theoretical aspect is almost same as that of Sankhya system. The main peculiarity of Yoga is 154
the acceptance of God. The basic principles of Yoga philosophy as described by the author deserve special attention in the study of Patanjala-yogasutra-bhashya-vivarana Prakrti or pradhana Pradhana is defined, that which brings about changes (yatah pradhatte vikaran).24 Among the various names of pradhana or prakrti, Yogasutra of Patanjali termed it as 'alinga'. There is no other 25 subtle cause beyond pradhana, the alinga." Subtlety is the cause with reference to an object and that reaches its limit in alinga. In another context, Vivaranakara clearly states that, even though, pradhana is eternal still, it is impermanent when it changes into the vikaras. Pradhana has a multitude of defects like manifold nature (anekatmakatva), impurity (asucitva), ignorance (avidyatva), serving the purpose of another (pararthatva) etc. 26