Patanjali Yoga Sutra – Chapter-1 – verse-23 & 24

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – Chapter-1 – verse-23 & 24 :-

ईश्वरप्रणिधानाद्वा ॥ ।२३।

Concentration may also be attained through devotion to Ishwara.

क्लेशकर्मविपाकाशयैरपरामृष्ट: पुरुषविशेष ईश्वर: ॥ ।२४।

Ishwara is the Supreme Lord, untouched by ignorance and the products of ignorance, not subject to Karma or Samskaras or the results of action.

Patanjali introduces the idea of God for the first time here.  Ishwara is the Supreme ruler, the ultimate reality of the Universe, – its creator, Sustainer and annihilator.  This Ishawara is the Para Brahman or the Virat Purushan praised in the Vedas as the Supreme God and he in turn took 3 forms namely Brahma, Vishna and Shiva for the purpose of Creation, Protection and annihilation.  

Now the question will arise if it is possible to realise Liberation without devotion to God. We have already seen earlier that it is possible to realise Liberation without devotion fo God.

Though Liberation can be realised without devotion to God it is a subtle and dangerous path, threading its way through pitfalls of ambitions and pride. Devotion to a personal ideal of God brings with it a natural inclination to humility and service.  We cannot even imagine Brahman until the moment of our Liberation.  But we can all imagine Ishwara.  If we start serving Ishwara and if we dedicate our actions and surrender our wills to him, we shall find that he comes closer to us.  This is the grace of God.  This is what Lord Krishna says In Bhagavad Gita- chapter-9 ….. यत्करोषि सदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् । यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ॥ ।२७।  O Kounteya (Arujuna), whatever actions you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give in charity, whatever austerities you perform, all that you do; make as an offering unto me. This kind of devotion requires, perhaps a special temparament.  It is not for everybody.  But to be able to feel it is a very great blessing, for it is the safest and happiest way to liberation.

What happens during Liberation and after……. Does the Liberated become one with Brahman or differs from Brahman is a different topic altogether. There are many philosophies regarding this like Dvaita, advaita, Visishta Advaita….etc.,  which we will not discuss in this topic.