Verse 1.19

भवप्रत्ययो विदेहप्रक्रतिलयानाम्  ||1.19||

The State of Samadhi arises naturally, as a consequence of Birth,

 for the Gods^* and for those Yogis who have  merged with  Nature .(1.19)

* Videhas- (Beings) without bodies –Gods.

 ______________________________________________

Born into a  State where the mind is stilled,

 Far into the journey are these  blessed  two,

The Ones without bodies,

And those one with Nature,

The Final destination is near,

But yet so far !

©Ravi Easwaran

reaswaran@gmail.com

Verse 1.18

विराम्प्रत्ययाभ्यसपुर्वः संस्कर्षेशोSन्यः  ||1.18||

A deeper State of Samadhi is reached by this constant practice

of cessation of experiences in the mind (cessation of thoughts)

and accompanied by only residual impressions.     (1.18)

Honed by constant practice,

On the Stones of Dispassion,

Soaring above the sense of “I”,

Thoughts have ceased, the mind is dead,

Enter ye into a State of Samadhi indescribable,

The Experiencer has been left behind.

(Notes: In 1.17 is described the first four stages in the journey, the fourth stage being where the “I” sense is transcended. This having been done, the Samadhi referred to in 1.18 can really not be described since the “I” is necessary for the recall. Hence even Patanjali refers to it as “anya” –the other)

 ©Ravi Easwaran

reaswaran@gmail.com

Verse 1.17

वितर्कविचारनान्दस्मितानुगमत संप्रज्ञातः | |1.17 | |

Samadhi is composed of four consecutive stages ie Gross thoughts,

Subtle thoughts, bliss and the sense of “I”.    (1.17)

The Journey is long and arduous,

It traverses the regions four,

The first littered by Thoughts Gross and evil,

Then the land of the pleasant and Subtle,

Bliss is the State which lies beyond the yonder,

And fourth the wondrous “I”

©Ravi Easwaran

reaswaran@gmail.com