Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Yogi Kalinath - Chapter 1, Verse 23

Pada 1, Sutra 23

Sanskrit Verse

Isvara-pranidhanad va

Translation

Or by surrender to the Lord/God (can Samadhi or enstasy be experienced)

Interpretation

Isvara can be translated as God the Father, the Lord of the Universe and like the Universe is a projection of Brahman. Isvara is therefore not the Ultimate Reality but an archetypal model that one can focus on with devotion. Not only does it fulfill the needs of the Yogi who is of a devotional nature but it also produces nectarian sweetness to counterpart the potential aridity of philosophical intellectualism and that of a detached sense of liberation from all that is. Surrender to an Ideal Cosmic Principle as Deity is also a safeguard against spiritual pride, one of the greatest character defects on the Spiritual Path.

Isvara Pranidhanad is actually the quickest, safest and most pleasurable path to Samadhi as one surrenders to and offers and sees all of life’s offerings (for better or for worst) coming from one’s spiritual ideal (encapsulated as and in the Idol or Murthi). The mind being absorbed in Isvara no longer needs to deliberately suppress the Citta-Vrittis or mind fluctuations. One’s will and desires become aligned to the Divine Will.