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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book 2 - The Steps to Union |
2. The aim of these three is to bring about soul vision and
to eliminate obstructions. It is interesting to note here that the words "soul
vision" precede the thought of the eliminated hindrances or obstructions, showing
that the vision is possible even to those who have not yet perfected themselves. The
vision comes in those moments of exaltation and high aspiration to which most of the sons
of men are susceptible and provides the incentive needed to produce that determination and
perseverance which the elimination of the obstruction necessitates. The words
"elimination of the obstructions" or the "alteration of the
hindrances" (as it is sometimes translated), is a large and generic expression and
Hindu commentators point out that it involves even the eradication of the seeds of those
hindrances, and their total destruction as by fire; that just as a burnt, dried up seed is
no longer capable of propagation and becomes unfertile, producing no growth, so the seeds
of the obstructions to the life of the Spirit are similarly rendered unfertile. These
seeds are found in three groups, each producing a large crop of hindrances or obstructions
on the three planes of man's evolution - the seeds latent in the physical body, those
producing the obstructions of the astral body, and the seeds latent in the mental body.
They are of three kinds in each case, making literally nine types or kinds of seeds: It is these seeds which produce the obstructions or hindrances to soul vision and the
free play of spiritual energy and Patanjali says they are of five kinds and proceeds to
deal with them specifically. By some commentators the word is translated distractions, and
all three terms are equally correct and any of them can be used. It may perhaps be pointed
out that: |
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