Day 76

Human consciousness is like a seed. A seed has the possibility of a tree, of branches, of leaves, flowers and fruits, of multiplication, etc. So does the human mind. A seed needs a proper soil, proper conditions, sunlight and water to sprout and blossom on its possibility. 

It is the same with the human consciousness, the human mind.

Either the seed can be dormant for many years, keeping its sprouting and developing possibilities within itself or it can start sprouting and growing right away. The sprouting of this seed of human consciousness is viveka - discrimination and wisdom. 

Freedom comes with viveka, or discrimination. All other species in this creation are completely governed by nature. They do not need discrimination nor do they have freedom. So they never break the laws of nature. The human l consciousness and the human mind have been given this freedom. So, it has also been given discrimination. 

It is through this viveka, wisdom and discrimination, that a human consciousness and human mind, can be governed to progress or to remain where it is. Generally, you will not find any animal overeating if it is sick. It may do this only if it is mad. Normally animals eat in time. They rest in time and mate in time. They have no choice. 

But human beings have the freedom to do whatever they want. This freedom is given along with discrimination, with wisdom, with the consequences of action and with knowledge of consequences of action. This is to enable humans to choose and lead a life of wisdom.

The speciality of human life is that it is governed by viveka - wisdom and discrimination. And how can this be enhanced? How can this seed be made to sprout and grow into a sapling? Then it needs watering again and again, until it grows. A seed has the possibility, but if it is not watered then he possibility remains a possibility, and does not manifest.

Here Patanjali steps in and says, the seed may be sprouted and made to grow by practicing and observing the limbs of Yoga. Through Yoga, ashuddhikshaye, the impurities get eliminated, the viveka, the wisdom, shines forth. The husk is gone and the sprouting comes up. Now, what are the limbs of Yoga? Patanjali said that there were eight limbs of Yoga. 

They were Yama, Niyam, Aasana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samaadhi.

He went into the details of each and the results to be expected from it. Yoga has eight limbs, just as a chair has four legs. Each is connected to the whole. So, if you just pull one, the whole chair will move. The whole body develops together. 

Organs develop together. It is not that the nose develops first, and then the ears. That is why Patanjali called them the limbs of Yoga. Unfortunately, people think that these are stages and come one after another, that we have to achieve each, one by one. This is not right. It is a misconception.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji 

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS