Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.51 (Parisamvad)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.

Chapter 1, Sutra 51

Tasyapi-Nirodhe-Sarvanirodhat-Nirbijah-Samadhih

Tasya: of that
Api: too
Nirodhe: control, regulation
Sarva: of all
Nirodhat: through Nidrodhah
Nirbijah: without a seed, seedless
Samadhih: deep absorption of meditation

Whenever This Is Restrained, Since All Is Restrained, Seedless Samadhi Is Gained

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Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra:

“We use the word ‘Shut Up.’ But the word ‘Shut Up’ here, is a complete shut up. Shut up in thoughts, shut up in expressions, feelings; blanking the mind out, which we are unable to do. Even if physically we don’t speak, the mind is working. What is expected is a state of consciousness which is absolutely quiet. When that is achieved, then the higher consciousness becomes available, otherwise the ordinary consciousness keeps on interfering and we have no idea of about this highest state. This is a very important truth ending the first chapter.”

Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra:

“This is the last sutra of the first chapter of the Patanjali Yoga Sutra. The first chapter is named as Samadhi Pada which tells you how to reach to that level. It is a very systematic path mentioned. The beginning is Yogah Citta Vrtti Nirodha – stop this mind, this chatterbox which is continuously working. And in life we have to observe ourselves, see how it is working unnecessarily. This type of a mind should stop. Then the details are given on what is Citta, what Vrittis are and how we think and are supposed to think. Then a systematic path of Abhyasa and Vairagya is shown, to see that you continue, pursue and detach from everything else. This is the path for the best type of students. Then they say that if this is not possible, another path mentioned is Isvara Pranidhana where a person develops a faith, belief where Isvara is a model and we have to become like that and see which areas we can improve. There are some people who, right from birth are different personalities, for them, there is no systematic path mentioned as they progress on their own. But for those who are not gifted, they should follow the path of Sraddha, Virya, Smriti, Samadhi, Prajna. Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar of the Jains had done a lot of preaching like Buddha and he had given this path – first comes duty, then knowledge, then actions i.e. Karmas. One has to be very clear not to do wrong actions in life because they bind us. n the last sutras we were talking about Samskaras in our personality. These Samskaras have to be removed and new, right type of Samskaras have to be formed. In this stage, even those states are gone.

In this sutra, they are talking about the final Samadhi where there is complete Nirodha, even the new Samskaras stop. No activity, plain, blank and peaceful mind. With that mind we get the Rutumbara state which is very clear. That takes you to the final state. So we have to learn to be systematic. We cannot just sit in meditation. We have to understand these steps. If we move step by step, there will definitely be progress.”