<p>The world celebrated International Yoga Day on 21st June 2025. Schools, colleges and hospitals joined in performing asanas and cheering the benefits of yoga. Amidst this enthusiasm it is perhaps interesting to note that Patanjali’s yogasutras define and place yoga in a more complex context. </p><p>The yogasutras start with the concept of consciousness. Yoga is defined as the restraint on the fluctuations in consciousness. Patanjali perceives consciousness as consisting of the mind or manas, intelligence or buddhi, and the ego or ahamkara. The three together analyse and understand things. They also cause modifications, fluctuations and distortions which mislead.</p>.<p>In a sense the fluctuations are inevitable. The functions of consciousness consist of cognition, volition, and motion. Cognition is the process of perception and understanding. Volition is the freedom to take a decision, and motion is perhaps best understood as action.</p>.<p>The fluctuations in the process of cognition, volition and action are caused by five factors. They are knowledge, illusion, delusion, sleep, and memory. It is only true knowledge verified by factual proof or even experience which protects. While cognition enables the seeing and recognition of objects, the objects often distract the mind by creating illusions. The faith in, and the desire for, the distractions lead to delusion. </p><p>The mind becomes disconnected from reality and lives in a dangerous realm of imagination. Even in sleep, the consciousness and fluctuations do not cease to work. </p><p>When sleep causes dullness and lethargy the dark force of tamas is at work. It could be illness of the body or mind. When sleep in the dream state causes agitation it is rajasic or passionate. It is only in deep sleep that all fluctuations cease. It is satvic and pure. One gets a glimpse of the quiet state of the mind.</p>.<p>Consciousness as memory recalls words, events, actions and experiences. In the unmodified form it helps correct judgement. It may change when the way of looking at things changes. It often gets distorted over time. When memory is damaged by time or trauma it ceases to be an aid in judgement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When the purpose of yoga is the cessation of fluctuations in the consciousness, the true benefits go beyond good health. With this understanding, yoga prepares the body and mind to receive correct knowledge. Thus, empowered by yoga, one is insulated against illusion and delusion. The ego is reined in and the mind is calm. Yoga is then a process leading to joy and transformation.</p>
<p>The world celebrated International Yoga Day on 21st June 2025. Schools, colleges and hospitals joined in performing asanas and cheering the benefits of yoga. Amidst this enthusiasm it is perhaps interesting to note that Patanjali’s yogasutras define and place yoga in a more complex context. </p><p>The yogasutras start with the concept of consciousness. Yoga is defined as the restraint on the fluctuations in consciousness. Patanjali perceives consciousness as consisting of the mind or manas, intelligence or buddhi, and the ego or ahamkara. The three together analyse and understand things. They also cause modifications, fluctuations and distortions which mislead.</p>.<p>In a sense the fluctuations are inevitable. The functions of consciousness consist of cognition, volition, and motion. Cognition is the process of perception and understanding. Volition is the freedom to take a decision, and motion is perhaps best understood as action.</p>.<p>The fluctuations in the process of cognition, volition and action are caused by five factors. They are knowledge, illusion, delusion, sleep, and memory. It is only true knowledge verified by factual proof or even experience which protects. While cognition enables the seeing and recognition of objects, the objects often distract the mind by creating illusions. The faith in, and the desire for, the distractions lead to delusion. </p><p>The mind becomes disconnected from reality and lives in a dangerous realm of imagination. Even in sleep, the consciousness and fluctuations do not cease to work. </p><p>When sleep causes dullness and lethargy the dark force of tamas is at work. It could be illness of the body or mind. When sleep in the dream state causes agitation it is rajasic or passionate. It is only in deep sleep that all fluctuations cease. It is satvic and pure. One gets a glimpse of the quiet state of the mind.</p>.<p>Consciousness as memory recalls words, events, actions and experiences. In the unmodified form it helps correct judgement. It may change when the way of looking at things changes. It often gets distorted over time. When memory is damaged by time or trauma it ceases to be an aid in judgement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">When the purpose of yoga is the cessation of fluctuations in the consciousness, the true benefits go beyond good health. With this understanding, yoga prepares the body and mind to receive correct knowledge. Thus, empowered by yoga, one is insulated against illusion and delusion. The ego is reined in and the mind is calm. Yoga is then a process leading to joy and transformation.</p>
