Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four: On Inner Freedom (kaivalya)

The fourth chapter of the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali begins describing supernatural abilities and a shift in perception (siddhi). These eventually lead us to an absolute inner freedom (kaivalya) which is the culmination of the Yoga-path.

Yoga-Sutra

chaturthah kaivalya-padah
चतुर्थः कैवल्यपादः
caturthaḥ kaivalya-pādaḥ

caturthaḥnominative singular
caturthasubstantive masculine
the fourth
caturthasubstantive masculinethe fourth
kaivalyatatpuru.sa~~-compound genitive
kaivalyasubstantive neuter
liberation, inner freedom, complete isolation
kaivalyasubstantive neuter
kevalaadjective
complete isolation, absolute bliss
kevalaadjectivepure, exclusively one’s own, alone
pādaḥnominative singular
pāda
Chapter

The fourth Chapter: On Inner Freedom (kaivalya)

Dr. Ronald Steiner

Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.1: Siddhi Yoga Sutra 4.1: Siddhi

Yoga-Sūtra 4.1: Siddhi - Supernatural abilities or a shift in perception?

  • 11.2.2020
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In his Yoga-Sūtra, Patañjali describes five ways to achieve supernatural abilities (siddhi). Or could this have been meant figuratively to refer to a shift in perception?

Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.2-3: Sankhya and Creation Yoga Sutra 4.2-3: Sankhya and Creation

Yoga-Sūtra 4.2-3: Saṁkhya & The origins of Being

  • 18.2.2020
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By means of supernatural abilities (siddhi), the Yogin can deliberately create new life forms. Or, is this meant figuratively to describe your own transformation?

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.4-5: Awareness of the Self based on individual Chitta Yoga Sutra 4.4-5: Awareness of the Self based on individual Chitta

Yoga-Sūtra 4.4-5: A perceptual space experiences various things

  • 25.2.2020
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Does the Yogin create a new being through meditation, or do they re-create themselves? - While the perceptual space (citta) can be transformed, it remains throughout the transformation.

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.6: Siddhi derived from immersion in contemplation comes without karma Yoga Sutra 4.6: Siddhi derived from immersion in contemplation comes without karma

Yoga-Sūtra 4.6: Siddhi from contemplative immersion comes without side effects i.e. Karma

  • 3.3.2020
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There are various ways to realize supernatural skills or a perceptual transformation (siddhi). But only through contemplative immersion can this be achieved without side-effects such as Karma.

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.7-8: The law of karma Yoga Sutra 4.7-8: The law of karma

Yoga-Sūtra 4.7-8: The law of cause and effect (karma)

  • 10.3.2020
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Each action (karman) bears fruit - that is, so long as we are acting from the perspective of out individual Ego (asmitā). We only experience, however, those fruits that are currently suitable to us.

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.9-11: Karma creates sanskara Yoga Sutra 4.9-11: Karma creates sanskara

Yoga-Sūtra 4.9-11: How actions (karman) create impressions (saṁskāra)

  • 16.3.2020
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As long as one perceives themself as separate from their environment, each of their actions bear fruit (karman) and are subject to the resulting impressions (saṁskāra).

Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.12-14: Transformation of the World Yoga Sutra 4.12-14: Transformation of the World

Yoga Sūtra 4.12-14: The world is constantly changing (pariṇāma)

  • 23.3.2020
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Every object, including our own personal perceptual space (citta) is part of our physical world. Everything is constantly changing (pariṇāma). Nevertheless, there is a basic substance (prakr̥ti) that always remains.

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.15-17: Object persistence Yoga Sutra 4.15-17: Object persistence

Yoga Sūtra 4.15-17: Objects are perceived subjectively

  • 30.3.2020
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Objects and situations are perceived subjectively. Even though there is an objective reality, only that which resonates with us becomes part of our own subjective reality.

Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.18-21: Purusha observes through Citta Yoga Sutra 4.18-21: Purusha observes through Citta

Yoga Sūtra 4.18-21: Puruṣa observes through Citta

  • 6.4.2020
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The external world is reflected in the subjective and ever-changing perceptual space (citta). The unchanging essence (puruṣa) observes this reflection.

Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.22-24: Purusha recognizes itself in Citta Yoga Sutra 4.22-24: Purusha recognizes itself in Citta

Yoga Sūtra 4.22-24: Puruṣa can recognize itself in Citta

  • 11.4.2020
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The perceptual space (chitta) mediates between the outside world and the pure essence (purusha). This can only be recognized through the reflexion of citta within itself.

Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.25-26: Discernment creates the conditions for inner freedom Yoga Sutra 4.25-26: Discernment creates the conditions for inner freedom

Yoga Sūtra 4.25-26: From discernment (viveka) arises inner freedom (kaivalya)

  • 20.4.2020
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The Yogin develops discernment (viveka) between it's pure essence (puruṣa) and its perceptual space (citta). From this arises inner freedom (kaivalya).

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.27-28: Sanskara interrupts inner freedom Yoga Sutra 4.27-28: Sanskara interrupts inner freedom

Yoga Sūtra 4.27-28: Saṁskāra interrupts inner freedom (kaivalya)

  • 27.4.2020
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Inner freedom (kaivalya) is based on discernment (viveka). However previous impressions (saṁskāra) are constantly testing the ability to discern.

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.29-32: From Viveka to Samadhi and comprehensive calm Yoga Sutra 4.29-32: From Viveka to Samadhi and comprehensive calm

Yoga Sūtra 4.29-32: Von Viveka zu Samādhi zu umfassender Ruhe

  • 4.5.2020
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Through discernment (viveka) arises action which is truly unintentional. From this grows a comprehensive sense of oneness (samādhi). In this state even the afflictive forces (kleśa) and the basic properties of nature (guṇa) Through discernment (viveka) arises action which is truly unintentional. From this grows a comprehensive sense of oneness (samādhi). In this state even the afflictive forces (kleśa) and the basic properties of nature (guṇa) come to rest.

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4.33-34: Signs of this comprehensive calm Yoga Sutra 4.33-34: Signs of this comprehensive calm

Yoga Sūtra 4.33-34: Signs of this comprehensive calm

  • 11.5.2020
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With the last verses of the Yoga Sūtra, Patañjali brings the entire chapter full-circle. Our pure essence (Puruṣa) recognizes itself and rests in its own form (svarūpa).

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Yoga Sutra 4: On Inner Freedom
Yoga Sutra 4: Das vierte Kapitel in Sanskrit Yoga Sutra 4: Das vierte Kapitel in Sanskrit

Yoga Sūtra 4: Das vierte Kapitel in Saṁskr̥t

  • 29.11.2020
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Das ganze vierte Kapitel des Yoga Sūtra in Saṁskr̥t - Zum meditativen Chanten! Einmal in Devanāgarī- Schrift und einmal in ISO 15919 Lautschrift.

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