Chapter-1, Sutra 30

Patanjali Yogasutra 1.30

(Obstacles for a Yogi)

व्याधिस्त्यानसंशयप्रमादालस्याविरतिभ्रान्तिदर्शनालब्धभूमिकत्वानवस्थितत्वानि चित्तविक्षेपास्तेऽन्तरायाः

"Disease, mental laziness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, non-abstention, false perception, failure to attain stages of practice, and instability are the distractions of the mind and obstacles."

Patanjali's Yogasutra 1.30 outlines nine obstacles that hinder the progress of a yogi on the path to achieving a state of samadhi. These obstacles are not just physical but also mental and emotional. The first obstacle, disease (vyadhi), refers to physical ailments that can disrupt one's practice. Mental laziness (styana) and doubt (samshaya) are psychological barriers that prevent the practitioner from fully committing to their practice. Carelessness (pramada) and laziness (alasya) further contribute to a lack of discipline and consistency.

The next set of obstacles includes non-abstention (avirati), which refers to the inability to withdraw from sensory pleasures and distractions. False perception (bhranti-darshana) involves misinterpretations and illusions that can lead one astray. Failure to attain stages of practice (alabdha-bhumikatva) and instability (anavasthitatva) highlight the difficulties in progressing through the stages of yoga and maintaining the achieved state. These obstacles collectively cause distractions of the mind (chitta-vikshepa), making it challenging to achieve and sustain a meditative state.

Understanding these obstacles is crucial for any practitioner of yoga. Recognizing and addressing these barriers can help in developing a more focused and disciplined practice. Patanjali emphasizes that overcoming these obstacles requires consistent effort, self-awareness, and dedication. By identifying these hindrances, practitioners can work towards mitigating their effects and progressing on their spiritual journey.

Comparison with Similar Verses from Vedic Texts

Rigveda 10.129.4:

न मृत्युरासीदमृतं न तर्हि न रात्र्या अह्न आसीत्प्रकेतः। आनीदवातं स्वधया तदेकं तस्माद्धान्यन्न परः किं चनास॥

"There was neither death nor immortality then. There was no distinction of day or night. That One breathed, windless, by its own impulse. Other than that, there was nothing beyond."

Bhagavad Gita 6.5:

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥

"One must elevate, not degrade, oneself by one's own mind. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well."

Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.4:

न चक्षुषा गृह्यते नापि वाचा नान्यैर्देवैस्तपसा कर्मण वा। ज्ञानप्रसादेन विशुद्धसत्त्वस्ततस्तु तं पश्यते निष्कलं ध्यायमानः॥

"That (Brahman) is not grasped by the eye, nor by speech, nor by other senses, nor by austerities, nor by rituals. But when one's intellect is purified by the light of Knowledge, then, by meditation, one sees that indivisible Self."

These verses from the Vedic texts emphasize the importance of overcoming mental and physical obstacles to achieve higher states of Consciousness. They align with Patanjali's teachings by highlighting the necessity of self-discipline, mental clarity, and the pursuit of Spiritual Knowledge.