Yoga Sagar

SR No.: 014011
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Paramhamsa Satyananda
Publisher: Bihar School of Yoga Munger
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 436
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 24 MB

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sadhak asks, "Can we see God after our success in restraint of chitta vritti?" Patanjali says, "No, you will be able to see yourself, not paramatma, God." We should be thankful for the sincerity of Patanjali, for he accepted the fact that by practising yoga we can see atma (soul), not paramatma (God).
He accepts the separate existence of paramatma (God) from atma (soul), and denies the possibility of visualizing God through yogic practices. Yogic practice leads us to the visualization of the sadhak's inner self, atma.
The Shruti proclaim that there is no end of pain and anxieties without knowledge of God. Earth, water, fire and air are elements in the sphere of philosophy. Akasha (ether) is also an element. That which is created has to perish. Akasha was born out of atma and from akasha, air was born. From air, fire was born, and from fire, water, and from water, earth. You can make a ball of wet soil and use it as a pillow, but you cannot fold the air. This is impossible. Then the end of suffering is not possible without realization of God, without visualizing God. This is the proclamation of the Shruti, the Veda and the Upanishads. We can conquer death only by knowing God. There is no other way. Realization and visualization of yourself is not enough to end suffering.
An appealing depiction of this message is found in Ramcharitamanas by Tulsi Das. He lists the impossibilities, like growing hair on the back of a tortoise, a barren woman bearing a warrior son, flowers of various kinds blooming in the sky. He says all these may become possible, but still man may not have a chance of attaining bliss without absolute devotion to God. There may be a chance of darkness drowning the sun and ice emitting fire, but man cannot get bliss without devotion to God. You may get ghee by churning water, you may get oil out of sand, but you cannot be free from worldly pains without visualizing God, without praying to God, without devotion to God. Goswami Tulsi Das has preached the message of the Upanishads in very simple and lucid language, using many examples.
So, if you are anxious to enjoy perpetual peace and end all the worries, tensions, pains and troubles, then you have to follow this path. The path is the practice of restraint, chitta vritti nirodhah. For chitta vritti nirodhah, you have to follow the teachings and lessons from your guru, Abide by those lessons
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