Essay name: Yoga-sutra with Bhashya Vivarana (study)
Author:
Susmi Sabu
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Department of Sanskrit
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 attributed to Adi Shankaracharya.
Chapter 4 - Textual Examination of the Text
11 (of 124)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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different views regarding jiva.³ The word used to denote jīva is kṣetrajña and it is none other than the self. The dṛśya is bright (prakāśa), active (kriya) and inert (sthiti) by nature. Here, Vivaraṇakāra emphasises that the word śila i.e., nature is not used in the sense of its own nature but indicates its functions.36 The three guṇas 37 It is depicted that, the gunas are three in number
viz., sattva, rajas and tamas. The quality of sattvaguṇa is said as
illumination (prakhya). The quality of rajoguna is motion
(pravṛtti). Obstruction (sthiti) is the quality of tamoguṇa.
Objects that are made up of the elements have all these three
guṇas. According to the predominance of any one of the gunas,
determines the nature of that object.
Vivaraṇakāra gives some explanations to this
particular idea. Ether is predominantly sattvic. Wind is
predominantly rājasic. Fire and water are predominantly sättvic
and rājasic. Earth is predominantly sattvic, and tāmasic. The
instruments (karaṇa) and the sense organs of knowledge along
with mind are illuminative, so they are predominantly sattvic.38 At
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