Patanjali Yogasutra 2.17
(The Seer & the Seen)
द्रष्टृदृश्ययोः संयोगो हेयहेतुः ।
"The conjunction of the Seer (Self) and the Seen (world) is the cause of suffering and should be overcome."
Patanjali Yogasutra 2.17 encapsulates the core of the human predicament in the philosophy of Yoga. The "Seer" (द्रष्टृ) refers to the Pure Consciousness or the True Self, while the "Seen" (दृश्य) encompasses everything in the manifest world, including thoughts, emotions, and sensory experiences. According to Patanjali, the root cause of human suffering is this conjunction or mistaken identity between the Seer and the Seen. When the Pure Consciousness identifies itself with the transient and ever-changing phenomena of the world, it results in attachment, desires, and consequently, suffering.
The purpose of Yoga, as suggested in this Sutra, is to Realize the distinction between the Seer and the Seen. This Realization helps in disentangling the Self from the material and psychological experiences that it mistakenly identifies with. This mistaken identity is termed "Avidya" or ignorance. Through practices like meditation, one can transcend this ignorance, leading to the direct experience of the Self as distinct from the Seen, thus liberating oneself from suffering.
Patanjali's solution to this fundamental problem is not mere intellectual understanding but experiential Realization. The methods prescribed in the Yoga Sutras, such as ethical disciplines (Yamas and Niyamas), postures (Asanas), breath control (Pranayama), withdrawal of senses (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and ultimate absorption (Samadhi), are designed to purify the mind and body, making it possible to perceive this distinction and thereby achieve liberation (Kaivalya).
Swami Vivekanand said:
"Who is the Seer? The Self of Man, the Purusa. What is the Seen? The whole of nature, beginning with the mind, down to gross matter. All this pleasure and pain arises from the junction between this Purusa and the mind. The Purusa, you must remember, according to this philosophy, is Pure; it is when it is joined to nature, and by reflection, that it appears to feel either pleasure or pain."
Comparison with Similar Verses from Other Vedic Texts
Bhagavad Gita 13.22
पुरुषः प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङ्क्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् |
कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु ||
"The Purusha (Self) residing in Prakriti (Nature) experiences the Gunas (qualities) born of Prakriti. Attachment to these Gunas is the cause of birth in good and evil wombs."
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the relationship between the Self (Purusha) and Nature (Prakriti). It highlights how the Self, when situated in Nature, experiences the qualities and attributes of Nature, leading to a cycle of births. The attachment to these qualities (Gunas) is identified as the cause of continued bondage and suffering, similar to the conjunction mentioned in the Yogasutra.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.3.7
यस्तु विज्ञानवान् भवति समनस्कः सदा शुचिः |
स तु तत्पदं आप्नोति यस्मात् भूयो न जायते ||
"He who has Knowledge, who is always pure-minded, reaches that State from which he is not born again."
This Upanishadic verse underscores the importance of Knowledge (Vijñāna) and purity of mind in achieving Realization. The concept resonates with Patanjali's emphasis on the Realization of the Seer as distinct from the Seen, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and suffering. The purity of mind is achieved through the disciplines and practices of Yoga.
Yoga Vasistha 6.1.33
चित्तस्य हि प्रसादेन हन्ति कर्म शुभाशुभम् |
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन प्रसादं कुरु चित्तस्य ||
"By the calmness of the mind, one destroys both good and bad karma. Therefore, by all efforts, calm the mind."
This verse from the Yoga Vasistha speaks to the transformative power of a calm and serene mind. It aligns with Patanjali’s assertion that distinguishing the Seer from the Seen leads to the cessation of suffering. The emphasis here is on mental tranquility as a means to overcome the dualities of karma, echoing the broader yogic goal of liberation from all forms of bondage and suffering.
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