Surrender to God
Ishwara Pranidhanat Va
Klesha Karma Vipaka Ashayai Hi Aparamrushtah Purusha Vishesha Ishwaraha
Patanjali understands the human mind so beautifully and does not allow the scope for the least confusion. In the 23rd Sutra he says, another way for reaching the state of Samadhi or supreme tranquility of mind is by surrendering one's actions, words, feelings and thoughts and one's whole being to God.
He is quick to explain who or what is God in the very next line. God is the special being that is free from any afflictions, free from seeds that give birth to activity born out of desire and is something that is untouched by anything that is experienced by the senses, emotions or thoughts.
To bring in a modern-day understanding, God is one's consciousness, awareness. Surrendering here means being fully aware of one's thoughts and actions. This leads to Samadhi, which is nothing but the experience of consciousness, an experience of God, being with the creator - the Purusha. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)
(Picture: Ganga at Rishikesh, spreading beneath the Ram Jhoola).
