Yog Sutra Book IV - Kaivalya Pada

Yoga Sutra - Book Four- Kaivalya Pada- Portion on Absoluteness.

Before Swami Satchidananda goes on to comment on the Fourth Book (section) of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, he tells us that this book is called Kaivalya Pada. "The root of kaivalyam is kevala, which means without qualities or conditions, that which is Cosmic. The one who has the quality of kevala is called kaivalyam. It's an experience of absoluteness, unlimitedness."

From the Wikipedia, under the word Kaivalya is as follows:

"Kaivalya, which is the ultimate goal of yoga, means solitariness or detachment.

The 34 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali of the fourth chapter deals with impressions left by our endless cycles of birth and the rationale behind the necessity of erasing such impressions. It portrays the yogi, who has attained kaivalya, as an entity who has gained independence from all bondages and achieved the absolute true consciousness or ritambhara prajna described in the Samadhi Pada."

Again as mentioned in the beginning of the third book (Vibhuti Pada), Swami Satchidananda tells us he has translated on all the sutras, but has chosen not comment on all of them. The ones he has commented on are the ones he feels most useful for the understanding of Yoga aspirants. For more information on the sutras he did not comment on, a selected reading section includes books that has comments. So in that case "How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood is also referred to.

See related posts:

• Yoga Sutra Book III - Vibhuti Pada
• Absolute True Consciousness YS I - 48, 49
  

There is Absoluteness When... YS III - 56

Yoga Sutra III - 56 - SATTVA PURUSAYOH SUDDHI SAMYE KAIVALYAM - When the tranquil mind attains purity equal to that of the Self, there is Absoluteness.

Swami Satchidananda tells us in this last sutra of Book Three - Vibhuti Pada, The Portion on Accomplishments, that "We are not here to grasp a little of this and a little of that. What is the biggest fish you can catch? The 'self-fish'. Hook that fish." Swami Satchidananda says the little things "come and tempt you, 'Hey, come on, I am here, I am here. Use me'." He tells us we should say "No; my purpose is something different. I am going straight ahead. I don't even want to stand and wait and watch the sideshows here and there'.

Swami Satchidananda further commented stating "as you progress along the spiritual path, the sideshows will tempt you." He then gives a analogy, in the form of a story, of being invited to a party by the king, who is ready to give you everything. On the journey to the party there are all kinds of variety shows, magician tricks, and music being played. They are on their way to see the king also. So when you get to see the king, they will all be there also. But if you stand there to see the shows, you will only see that and miss seeing the king.

Swami Satchidananda ends the commentary telling us never to settle for these little things. "Our goal is something very high. It is eternal peace, eternal joy. Don't settle for a little peace, for a little joy, for petty happiness."

"How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood simply says the following:

When all the thought-waves in the mind have been stilled, the mind holds nothing but pure, undifferentiated consciousness. In this state, it is one with Atman. Sri Ramakrishna used to say : "The pure mind and the Atman are the same."