Chapter-3, Sutra 51

Patanjali Yogasutra 3.51

स्थान्युपनिमन्त्रणे सङ्गस्मयाकरणं पुनरनिष्टप्रसङ्गात्

"Upon receiving invitations from celestial beings, there should be no attachment or pride, for it can lead to undesirable consequences."

This verse addresses the yogi who has reached an advanced stage of practice, one where supernatural beings or celestial entities might acknowledge their spiritual achievements. These beings may extend invitations, offering power or prestige, and it’s common for advanced practitioners to receive such recognition from other dimensions or states of Consciousness. Patanjali warns, however, that any sense of attachment (सङ्ग) or pride (स्मय) toward these interactions can disrupt the yogi’s progress. Such emotions, even if seemingly harmless, can become obstacles on the path to ultimate liberation (कैवल्य), as they bind the mind to ego and worldly identity.

Patanjali emphasizes that these celestial invitations, however alluring, are ultimately distractions. Pride and attachment, when left unchecked, subtly reinforce the ego, which stands contrary to the yogic goal of selflessness and union with the Ultimate. By attaching value to recognition from these beings, a yogi risks reinforcing the very identity they seek to dissolve. Patanjali urges the practitioner to remain steadfast and focused, viewing these experiences with neutrality. The allure of praise or association with divine beings can lead back to worldly attachments and, thus, towards rebirth and continued bondage.

In essence, this Sutra reminds practitioners that even subtle forms of ego can arise at advanced stages of meditation. The spiritual path requires constant vigilance and humility. The practice of non-attachment (वैराग्य) remains vital, as spiritual pride is a regression that distances the practitioner from the Ultimate State of Kaivalya. The yogi must recognize these interactions as mere tests or phases rather than destinations. By understanding and avoiding the snare of pride, the yogi moves closer to liberation, maintaining a focus on the higher goal of ultimate freedom from worldly and celestial entanglements.

Swami Vivekananda said:

"The yogi should not feel allured or flattered by the overtures of celestial beings, for fear of evil again. There are other dangers too; gods and other beings come to tempt the yogi. They do not want anyone to be perfectly free. They are jealous, just as we are, and worse than us sometimes. They are very much afraid of losing their places. Those yogis who do not reach perfection die and become gods; leaving the direct road they go into one of the side streets, and get these powers. Then again they have to be born; but he who is strong enough to withstand these temptations, and go straight to the goal, becomes free."

Comparative Verses from Vedic Texts

Isha Upanishad 1.8

स पर्यगाच्छुक्रमकायमव्रणमस्नाविरं शुद्धमपापविद्धम्।

कविर्मनीषी परिभूः स्वयम्भूर्याथातथ्यतोऽर्थान् व्यदधाच्छाश्वतीभ्यः समाभ्यः॥

"He is all-pervading, pure, bodiless, uninjured, without veins, spotless, and unaffected by sin. The Seer, omniscient, self-existent, has assigned each thing its respective place as per the eternal laws."

This verse reflects the ideal state Patanjali advocates for the yogi—unblemished by ego, pride, or any worldly quality. The yogi, like the Self described here, is to remain untouched by the allure of external acknowledgment or celestial influence, grounded instead in the purity and detachment that mirror the supreme Self's attributes. Here, the yogi is urged to rise above individual identity and desires, recognizing that all things operate according to the eternal order.

Kathopanishad 2.3.14

उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत।

क्षुरस्य धारा निशिता दुरत्यया दुर्गं पथस्तत्कवयो वदन्ति॥

"Arise! Awake! Approach the wise and learn. The path is sharp, like the edge of a razor, difficult to tread and hard to cross—so say the wise."

This verse serves as a warning, akin to Patanjali's caution against pride and attachment. The Upanishad emphasizes the difficulty and subtlety of the spiritual path, warning that it requires precision, discipline, and constant vigilance. Like the razor’s edge, the path can easily lead to pitfalls if one becomes attached or complacent, including through pride in one’s achievements or spiritual status.

Patanjali’s verse, alongside these comparable teachings, emphasizes the need for a discerning, unattached mind to progress on the spiritual path. Advanced practitioners, while potentially encountering Divine recognition, are advised to maintain humility and vigilance to avoid ego entanglements. The Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Yoga Vashistha all highlight the pitfalls of attachment and the necessity of transcending ego and duality, recognizing the Self beyond worldly or supernatural allurements.

Collectively, these teachings underscore the yogic path as one that requires both self-restraint and self-knowledge. By fostering an attitude of non-attachment, even toward celestial offers, the yogi can progress toward the Ultimate Goal of liberation (Kaivalya). The warning in Patanjali’s Sutra reminds the practitioner that true spiritual freedom lies in the complete dissolution of ego, leading to a state of unity and peace beyond any recognition, power, or attachment, aligning with the Universal Self.