Heart of Yoga, by TKV Desikachar
Chapter 10 - The World Exists to be Seen and Discovered
[A summary of the key points]
Yoga follows the teachings of the Samkhya philosophy, which divides the universe
into two categories - purusha and prakriti.Purusha is not subject to change, whereas
prakriti changes constantly. Prakriti consists of all matter, including our minds,
thoughts, feelings and memories. All of prakriti can be perceived by purusha.
Desikachar then gives a brief resume of the Samkhya teaching on the evolution of
the whole of creation from prakriti, and points out that since we are part of this
creation, we are influenced by what happens in the external world, and in our turn
we influence it. When we die, the body, brain and sense organs are still present
in the world, but the purusha is no longer present. Death is a form of change, but
the purusha is not susceptible to change; the purusha has gone somewhere, although
the Yoga Sutra does not suggest where it has gone.
Also, although there is only one prakriti, yoga philosophy believes that there are
countless purusha. This is obvious since the efforts of one individual to practice
and obtain clarity of mind have no effect on the behaviour of other people. Everyone
has their own habits and behaviour patterns.
There are many theories about how the relationship between purusha and prakriti came
about. "Some say it is lila, a divine game. Others believe there was in the beginning
one entity that said to itself, "I should like to become many." A third body of opinion
calls it chance." but all of these are speculations.
In the same way there a re many theories about what happens to our purusha when we
die.
We cannot depend on change happening as a result of our yoga practice - or indeed
any other practice. What we can depend on from our yoga practice is a quieter and
clearer mind. And from this there should come a step-by-step change in the quality
of our action. It is the purusha that sees these changes, as the mind becomes clearer.
"Yoga attempts to influence the mind in such a way that it is possible for our purusha
to operate without hindrances."
