Nature of Consciousness in Yoga Sutra: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The term consciousness has been discussed in ancient as well as modern philosophy. Even though the modern sciences are trying to enrich the details about consciousness from the eye of easy problem of consciousness. Here one ancient Indian philosophical text discussing about consciousness is Yoga Sūtra. Generally Yoga Sūtra is considered to be the best philosophy to learn about the Aṣṭāṅga Yogic path. However, Yoga Darśana, which existed even before Patañjali formulated the Sūtras, delves into the subject of consciousness with unparalleled depth, describing its existence, nature, and properties in a manner unmatched by other philosophies or texts. Consciousness itself is known by various names in different philosophies, such as soul, Cetanā. Caitanya, etc. When the Yoga Sūtras are examined through the lenses of facts, logic, and evidence, the insights on consciousness are codified with their logic, considered as Āgama evidence, through various discussions, supplemented by empirical facts and reasoning. Therefore, accepting Yoga Darśana as the authentic source to learn about consciousness is not merely an extraordinary sentiment but appears to be logical as it outlines the system of progressive development of the consciousness. The nature of consciousness in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is thought to be mostly similar to the one described in Sankhya philosophy. But going deeply into both of the text reveals that Sankya Philosophy is detailing about total 25 tattvas from which 1 is Puruṣa and 24 others are of prakriti (Dṛśya). While Patanjali Yoga Sutras are not detailing much about Prakriti directly but the details of Puruṣa is described there in direct sutras of Patanjali. These Sutras also present a structured approach to understanding and cultivating consciousness, focusing on the interplay between the citta (mind) and the Cetanā (self). Hence this work will be focusing on exploring the nature of consciousness which is described in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This will be helpful to look out on hard problem of consciousness from the perspectives of Patanjali’s explanation of consciousness.