Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
by Makarand Gopal Newalkar | 2017 | 82,851 words | ISBN-13: 9780893890926
Yoga-sutras 4.10, English translation with modern and ancient interpretation. The Patanjali Yogasutras describe an ancient Indian tradition spanning over 5000 years old dealing with Yoga:—Meditating the mind on the Atma leading to the realization of self. This study interprets the Yogasutras in light of both ancient and modern commentaries (e.g., Vyasa and Osho) while supporting both Sankhya and Vedanta philosophies.
Sūtra 4.10
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of sūtra 4.10:
तासामनादित्वं चाशिषो नित्यत्वात् ॥ ४.१० ॥
tāsāmanāditvaṃ cāśiṣo nityatvāt || 4.10 ||
(10) Desire for self–welfare being everlasting it follows that the subconscious impression from which it arises must be beginningless.
Ancient and Modern interpretation:
[Read sūtras 4.7-12—Karmasiddhānta now]
[Read sūtra 4.10 above]
Araṇya explains, [1] āśiṣa or desire for self welfare is a feeling arising out of desire to live and not to be non-existent.This is eternal and carried over. Fear of death is result of this desire.
Osho says,[2] there is no beginning to this process as desire to live is eternal. Desire has no beginning,but it has end. Desirelessness has only beginning, no end.The circle is complete between desire and desirelessness.Desires are millions and when energy is released from all these desires,one becomes tremendous upsurge of energy. This energy starts flowing through sahasrar and a Yogī is liberated.
Basically, the abhiniveśa kleśa or jīveṣaṇā creates all the karmas for self defense and then the cycle of smṛti-saṃskāra etc. goes on. But āśiṣa is benign force essential for all life activities and also for Yoga.The abhiniveśa is a kleśa,which causes troubles is associated with asmitā /ego.
Patañjali has given way out of this cycle in next sūtra.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Araṇya, op.cit,p. 361
[2]:
Osho, op.cit,p. 47