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Grahana power of cognition Svarupa real appearance, natural state, one's form, one's visage Asmita egoism, the individual self Anvaya conjunction Arthavattva purposefulness, reason for being Samyamat by constraint Indriya senses Jayah conquest Through samyama upon the purpose of the conjunction of the process of knowing, the ego, and nature, there is mastery over the senses. By samyama upon the natural states of the senses of perception, their function and receptivity, with or without their conjunction with nature and the perception of the individual self (tumtta), the yogi recognises the purpose of the alignment of nature, senses and self and gains mastery over them all. Having discussed the excellence of body in III. 47, Patanjali now speaks of the wealth of the senses. This sutra is both complementary and supplementary to III. 45, wherein, the five qualities of the natural elements were objectively categorised. Here Patanjali describes the five specific qualities, particularly in relation to the senses of perception and the ego. The properties of the senses of perception include - knowing their own natural state; cognition or recognition of external objects; the reason for this contact; and the involvement of the individual self in these states, which changes it from objective to subjective. Everything one experiences in the universe is transmitted through the medium of the senses to the 'T' consciousness. The senses by their essential nature are attracted to worldly objects conducive to pleasure, and their hunger for more and more entangles them. At some stage, when the senses are quelled, they and the organs of action become unreceptive, and a state of quietness is experienced. An ordinary individual will go on following the senses when they are again stirred to their pursuit of pleasure, but the sophisticated intelligence will ponder, and consider that it is possible to turn inwards. This reflection on the receptivity of the senses and mind can now be diverted and directed by the intelligence toward exploring the realm of the seer so that senses, mind and ego are brought to rest permanently in the abode of the soul. (n.6, 21, 22; iv.4.) |
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