Chapter-1, Sutra19

Patanjali Yogasutra 1.19

भवप्रत्ययो विदेहप्रकृतिलयानाम् ॥ १.१९॥

"Upon those who have attained the state of 'videha' or 'prakritilaya', the world appears as a latent impression."

This sutra refers to a State of Consciousness where the individual has transcended the physical body ('videha') and merged with the primal Nature ('prakritilaya'). In this state, the world is no longer experienced directly but exists as a potentiality or an impression in the Consciousness. It suggests that for those who have reached such a high level of spiritual realization, the material world ceases to be the primary Reality).

The sutra implies that the Ultimate Goal of yoga is not merely to escape the cycle of birth and death but to transcend the limitations of the physical and mental constructs. The 'videha' and 'prakritilaya' states are stages on the path to complete Realization, where one's Consciousness is no longer bound by the physical world or its properties. This is a state of pure potentiality, where the latent impressions of the world exist but do not bind or affect the individual's true self.

The concept of latent impressions ('bhavapratyayo') is significant because it acknowledges the continuity of Consciousness even after liberation from the physical form. It indicates that while the world may no longer have the same hold over an individual, the impressions of past experiences remain in a subtle form. These impressions do not cause further entanglement in the cycle of birth and death but exist as a reminder of the journey the Consciousness has undertaken.

Swami Vivekanand says:

"(This Samadhi, when not followed by extreme non- attachment) becomes the cause of the re-manifestation of the gods and of those that become merged in Nature. The gods in the Indian systems represent certain high offices which are being filled successively by various souls. But none of them is perfect."

For context, let's compare this with a few similar verses from Vedic texts:

Mandukya Upanishad 2:

सर्वं ह्येतद् ब्रह्मायमात्मा ब्रह्म सोऽयमात्मा चतुष्पात् ॥ २ ॥

"All this is verily Brahman. This Ātman is Brahman. This Ātman has four quarters." 

This verse from the Mandukya Upanishad declares the identity of the individual soul (Atman) with the Ultimate Reality (Brahman). It resonates with the idea in Yogasutra 1.19 that the individual Consciousness can transcend the physical realm and merge with the primal Nature.

Bhagavad Gita 7.18:

उदारा: सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् |
आस्थित: स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् || 18||

"All those who are devoted to Me are indeed noble. But those in Knowledge, who are of steadfast mind, whose intellect is merged in Me, and who have made Me alone as their Supreme Goal, I consider as My very Self.."

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna speaks of the importance of meditating on the Ultimate Reality, which aligns with the Yogasutra's notion of transcending the physical to reach a Higher State of Consciousness.

Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7:

 तत्त्वमसि

 "Thou art That." 

This famous mahavakya (great saying) from the Chandogya Upanishad encapsulates the non-dual philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, suggesting the unity of the individual soul with the Cosmic soul, similar to the state of 'videha' and 'prakritilaya' described in Yogasutra 1.19.

These verses from the Vedic literature emphasize the unity of the individual soul with the Ultimate Reality and the transcendence of the physical world, which is in harmony with the essence of Patanjali's Yogasutra 1.19. They all point towards the Ultimate Goal of spiritual practice: Realizing the True Nature of the Self and the universe.