Chapter-2, Sutra 09

Patanjali Yogasutra 2.9

स्वरस्वाही विदुषोऽपि तथारूढोऽभिनिवेशः॥९॥

"The clinging to life, flowing through its own nature, persists even in the wise."

In this Sutra, Patanjali addresses the concept of abhinivesha, often translated as the fear of death or clinging to life. This attachment is said to persist inherently, not just in the ignorant but even in the wise (vidusha). The term svarasavahi suggests something that flows by its own force, implying that this instinctual clinging to life is a fundamental aspect of human nature. It is deeply ingrained and not easily overcome, highlighting the intrinsic drive for survival present in all living beings.

The Sutra underscores a critical point in yogic philosophy: certain tendencies are deeply rooted in the psyche and are not merely products of ignorance or lack of wisdom. The persistence of abhinivesha in the wise indicates that intellectual understanding alone is insufficient to overcome deep-seated instincts. This realization prompts a deeper inquiry into the nature of fear and attachment, suggesting that true liberation requires more than intellectual insight; it demands a profound transformation of one's entire being.

To overcome abhinivesha, one must engage in sustained practice and develop dispassion (vairagya). Yoga practices, particularly meditation and self-inquiry, help in recognizing and confronting this fundamental fear. The ultimate aim is to transcend the ego and its attachments, achieving a state of liberation where one is no longer driven by the instinctual clinging to life. This Sutra, therefore, serves as a reminder of the depth of human conditioning and the comprehensive nature of the yogic path.

Contextual Comparison with Vedic Texts

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5

अथ योऽन्यां देवतामुपास्तेऽन्योऽसावन्योऽहमस्मीति न स वेद यथा पशुरेवं स देवानां॥

"He who worships another deity thinking 'He is one and I am another,' does not know. He is like a domestic animal for the gods."

This verse emphasizes the ignorance of seeing oneself as separate from the Divine, akin to the ignorance that fuels abhinivesha. It points to the fundamental misapprehension of Reality that underlies both the fear of death and the false sense of separateness.

Bhagavad Gita 2.13

देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा।

तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति॥

"Just as the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The wise are not deluded by this."

Here, Krishna speaks of the eternal nature of the soul, which transitions through different stages and bodies. This understanding can mitigate abhinivesha by fostering a deeper recognition of one's true, imperishable nature, reducing the fear of death and attachment to the physical body.

Yoga Vashishta 6.1.32

स्वभावं न जहात्येव साधुर्वा यदि वाधमः।

किं दुष्करं सतां लोके येषां तृणं तनुत्यजः॥

"One does not give up one's nature, whether one is noble or base. What is difficult for those who, in this world, consider the body as insignificant as straw?"

This verse highlights the challenge of transcending inherent nature but also the potential for those who view the body as insignificant. By diminishing the importance of the physical form, one can address the deep-seated abhinivesha, aligning with the yogic pursuit of detachment and inner freedom.

Through these comparisons, we see a consistent theme across Vedic texts: overcoming fundamental fears and attachments requires profound Self-Awareness and the Realization of one's True, Eternal Nature.