The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The Book of the Spiritual ManPatañjali
Religion
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The Book of the Spiritual Man
Patañjali
Yoga -- Early works to 1800
And from these long past ages, in hours when the contest flags, will
come new foes, mind-born children springing up to fight for mind,
reinforcements coming from forgotten years, forgotten lives. For once
this conflict is begun, it can be ended only by sweeping victory, and
unconditional, unreserved surrender of the vanquished.
28. These are to be overcome as it was taught that hindrances should be
overcome.
These new enemies and fears are to be overcome by ceaselessly renewing
the fight, by a steadfast, dogged persistence, whether in victory or
defeat, which shall put the stubbornness of the rocks to shame. For the
Soul is older than all things, and invincible; it is of the very nature
of the Soul to be unconquerable.
Therefore fight on, undaunted; knowing that the spiritual will, once
awakened, shall, through the effort of the contest, come to its full
strength; that ground gained can be held permanently; that great as is
the dead-weight of the adversary, it is yet measurable, while the
Warrior who fights for you, for whom you fight, is, in might,
immeasurable, invincible, everlasting.
29. He who, after he has attained, is wholly free from self, reaches
the essence of all that can be known, gathered together like a cloud.
This is the true spiritual consciousness.
It has been said that, at the beginning of the way, we must kill out
ambition, the great curse, the giant weed which grows as strongly in
the heart of the devoted disciple as in the man of desire. The remedy
is sacrifice of self, obedience, humility; that purity of heart which
gives the vision of God. Thereafter, he who has attained is wrapt about
with the essence of all that can be known, as with a cloud; he has that
perfect illumination which is the true spiritual consciousness. Through
obedience to the will of God, he comes into oneness of being with God;
he is initiated into God’s view of the universe, seeing all life as God
sees it.
30. Thereon comes surcease from sorrow and the burden of toil.
Such a one, it is said, is free from the bond of Karma, from the burden
of toil, from that debt to works which comes from works done in
self-love and desire. Free from self-will, he is free from sorrow, too,
for sorrow comes from the fight of self-will against the divine will,
through the correcting stress of the divine will, which seeks to
counteract the evil wrought by disobedience. When the conflict with the
divine will ceases, then sorrow ceases, and he who has grown into
obedience, thereby enters into joy.
31. When all veils are rent, all stains washed away, his knowledge
becomes infinite; little remains for him to know.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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