Patanjali Yogasutra 2.28
योगाङ्गाऽनुष्ठानादशुद्धिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिराविवेकख्यातेः ॥२८॥
"Through the practice of the limbs of Yoga, when impurities are destroyed, there arises the light of Knowledge leading to discriminative discernment."
This Sutra marks the transition in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras where the practice of yoga is said to purify the mind and body, leading to a heightened state of Knowledge and Wisdom. The phrase "योगाङ्गाऽनुष्ठानाद्" (yogāṅga-anuṣṭhānāt) refers to the diligent practice of the eight limbs of yoga. These limbs—Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi—are foundational to the yogic path. According to Patanjali, as one becomes consistent and committed to these practices, "अशुद्धिक्षये" (aśuddhi-kṣaye) or the removal of impurities takes place. These impurities are the mental and physical obstacles that cloud one’s perception, including the kleshas (afflictions) such as ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death.
As these impurities are gradually diminished, the practitioner experiences "ज्ञानदीप्तिः" (jñāna-dīptiḥ), or the illumination of Knowledge. This light of Knowledge is not ordinary intellectual understanding, but a deep, intuitive insight that penetrates the true nature of reality. It is this knowledge that paves the way for "विवेकख्यातेः" (viveka-khyāteḥ), which translates to discriminative discernment. Viveka-khyati is the ability to distinguish between the Real (Purusha, the Pure Consciousness) and the unreal (Prakriti, the material world). This discernment is the ultimate goal of yoga, leading to Kaivalya, the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
The Sutra emphasizes that the removal of impurities and the resultant wisdom are gradual processes that require sustained practice. It underscores the transformative power of yoga in cultivating a mind that can perceive reality without the distortions of ignorance. The clarity achieved through such practice allows the practitioner to see beyond the superficialities of life, leading to a deep sense of inner peace and liberation.
Swami Vivekanand said:
"Now comes the practical Knowledge. What we have just been speaking about is much higher. It is way above our heads, but it is the ideal. It is first necessary to obtain physical and mental control. Then the Realization will become steady in that ideal. The ideal being known, what remains is to practise the method of reaching it."
Comparative Context from Vedic Texts:
Bhagavad Gita 4.10
वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः।
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भावमागताः॥
"Freed from attachment, fear, and anger, absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, and purified by the fire of Knowledge, many have attained unity with My Being."
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita echoes the same theme of purification and enlightenment found in Patanjali's Sutra. The practice of yoga or devotion (as indicated in the Gita) leads to a state of being where the mind is free from attachment, fear, and anger. The purification achieved through knowledge or practice results in unity with the Divine, which is akin to the discriminative discernment leading to liberation mentioned by Patanjali.
Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.9
भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिश्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः।
क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि तस्मिन्दृष्टे परावरे॥
"When the knot of the heart is untied, all doubts are resolved, and the accumulated karma is dissolved, then the Seer perceives the Supreme and the mundane."
This Upanishadic verse emphasizes the dissolution of ignorance and doubts, similar to the destruction of impurities in Patanjali's Sutra. The "knot of the heart" represents the entanglement of desires and attachments, which are removed through the light of Knowledge, leading to the Ultimate Realization of Truth, similar to the concept of viveka-khyati.
Yoga Vashishta 6.1.11
चित्तदोषमलान्मुक्तं तज्ज्ञानं प्रत्यगात्मनि।
विवेकिनः स्वयं तिष्ठेत्स्फुटमेव प्रकाशवत्॥
"When the impurities and defects of the mind are removed, the Knowledge of the Self becomes clear and resplendent like a lamp in the discerning one."
The Yoga Vashishta here mirrors the idea presented by Patanjali—once the mind is purified, the knowledge of the Self shines brightly. This is analogous to the "ज्ञानदीप्तिः" in Patanjali's Sutra, which leads to discriminative discernment, thus reinforcing the essential role of purity in attaining wisdom and liberation.
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