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
4 (of 124)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Vivekakhy膩ti releases man from pain. When this knowledge of distinction between the seer and the seen emerges, the ignorance disappears. With the cessation of ignorance, there occurs absolute elimination of the conjunction of the seer and the seen and this is called kaivalya (transcendental aloneness). In the simile which compares the fourfold division of philosophy with the fourfold medical system, kaivalya occupies the position of good health- the ultimate aim or purpose (prayojana) of this philosophy. 4 The sambandha is the relationship between the aim
(s膩dhya i.e., kaivalya) and the means (s膩dhana i.e., vivekakhy膩ti).
Kaivalya is defined as 'dra峁ａ弓r-d峁浥泍a-samyogoparama' (the total
cessation of the contact between the seer and the seen). *
Vivekakhy膩ti is defined as bh奴t膩rth膩vagati (the knowledge of an
object as it really is). In Medical Science, good health is the result
of medical treatment. Likewise, there exists a mutual relationship
between kaivalya and vivekakhy膩ti. This is the sambandha of
6 Yoga philosophy. Thus it is clear that, the exposition of Yoga
also comprises of sambandha and prayojana."
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