Patanjali Yogasutra 2.14
ते ह्लादपरितापफलाः पुण्यापुण्यहेतुत्वात् ।
"These actions (karmas) bear fruits that cause pleasure or pain due to their merit or demerit."
In this Sutra, Patanjali explains the concept of karma and its effects. The actions (karma) performed by individuals result in fruits (phala) that can be either pleasurable (hlāda) or painful (paritāpa). The nature of these fruits is determined by whether the actions are meritorious (puṇya) or demeritorious (apuṇya). Meritorious actions lead to pleasurable outcomes, while demeritorious actions lead to painful ones. This reinforces the fundamental idea that our present experiences are shaped by our past actions.
This concept is crucial in understanding the law of karma, which is central to Indian philosophy. The principle that actions have consequences, and these consequences affect one's future experiences, emphasizes personal responsibility and ethical behavior. It suggests that individuals have the power to influence their future through their current actions, encouraging a mindful and moral life.
Furthermore, the Sutra implies the cyclical nature of karma and rebirth. The fruits of actions are not confined to a single lifetime but span across multiple lives. The pleasures and pains experienced in one's current life are the results of past actions, while present actions will influence future existences. This cyclical view fosters a long-term perspective on personal development and spiritual evolution, encouraging a deeper commitment to ethical living and spiritual practices.
Comparative Context from Vedic Texts
Bhagavad Gita
सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानीत्यादेशेऽनुतिष्ठ युध्यस्व ।
संग्रहित्वमपि कार्यं कर्मणि च नियतं यतः ॥
"Abandoning attachment and remaining balanced in success and failure, perform your duty. Such equanimity is called yoga."
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advises Arjuna to perform his duties without attachment to the results. This echoes the idea in Patanjali's sutra that the outcomes of actions are determined by the nature of the actions themselves, not by the individual's attachment to those outcomes. The emphasis on performing one's duty with a balanced mind aligns with the concept of karma yoga, where actions are performed selflessly.
Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.10
भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः ।
क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि तस्मिन्दृष्टे परावरे ॥
"When the knot of the heart is loosened, all doubts are dispelled, and one's karmas are destroyed upon the Realization of the Supreme."
This verse from the Mundaka Upanishad discusses the liberation that comes with Self-Realization. When one attains knowledge of the Supreme, the bonds of karma are dissolved. This suggests that while actions have consequences, true liberation comes from transcending the cycle of karma through spiritual wisdom, resonating with the ultimate goal of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.
Yoga Vashishta 6.1.34
अशुभाशुभकर्मा वा शुक्लाक्रान्तिर्महेश्वरः।
स एव तु परं ब्रह्म मायामात्रो विकारवान्॥
"Whether one's actions are good or bad, the Supreme Being transcends them as Pure Consciousness, unaffected by maya."
In the Yoga Vashishta, it is highlighted that the Supreme Consciousness remains unaffected by the dualities of good and bad actions. This verse suggests that while actions and their fruits are significant in the material world, the Ultimate State of being is one of Pure Consciousness that transcends these dualities, aligning with the higher spiritual goal discussed in Patanjali's philosophy.
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