patanjali has given five mental planes.docx

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Patanjali has given five mental planes -

Kshipta, Moodha, Vikshipta, Ekagra and

Niruddha.

Kshipta is where the mind wanders among the

sensual objects filled with Rajas.

The Moodha Plane is in a state of sleep and

impotence due to Tamas.

Vikshipta is where in the mind oscillates between

meditation and objectivity. When in satva it will be

cheeraful and one pointed.

Ekagra is one pointed. There is deep

meditation. Sattva is free from Rajas & Tanas.

Niruddha plane is the mind under perfect

control. When all the Vrittis are correct the mind is

in a balanced state (samapatti). Diseases, doubt,



laziness, carelessness instability etc. are some of

the obstacles to concentration.

According to Patanjali ignorance, egoism,

desire and aversion or likes and dislikes, clinging

to mundane life are the main five obstacles that

unsteady the mind. These can be removed

through yogic practices but they remain hidden

and whenever there is an unfavourable

surrounding they spring up but the samadhi

(Absolute experience) destroy even the seed of these obstacles.

We must separate the soul from sense and

thoughts.

The Sun and Moon currents bring energy to all

the parts of the body.

The mind functions in various phases

depending upon the body in which it operates. It



goes from sub-conscious to simple consciousness

gradually evolving to self - consciousness until it

reaches the universal consciousness.

The sub-conscious mind of development (seat

of instinct) is also common with lower animals. It is

a habit mind. This mind does things automatically

that we have learned through the intellect. In the

sub-conscious mind lie all the knowledge and

impressions received from various sources from

this life as well as from previous lives like astorehouse. In Vedanta this mind is called Chitta.

The sub conscious mind manifests various

degrees of consciousness. Self-consciousness

comes to man with the unfolding of the intellect.Cosmic or universal consciousness comes with the

unfolding of the intuitional mind or higher mind.

This gradual growth of consciousness is a most

interesting and important branch of yoga



philosophy. Yogis control the lower mind and

move to the higher mind. As we progress in the

spiritual path, the higher mind will obtain mastery

over the lower mind through patience,

perseverance, faith and devotion.

Shankaracharya says in verse 335 of the

Vivekachudamani -

“Bahye, nirudhhe, manasah prasannata

manah-prasade paramatma-darsanam

tasmin sudrste bhavabandha nasah

bahir nirodhah padavi vimukteh”

When the external world is shut out, the mind

is cheerful and the cheerfulness of the mind bringson the vision of Paramatman. When it is perfectly

realised, the chain of birth and death is broken.

Hence the shutting out of the external world is the

stepping-stone to liberation.

patanjali has given five mental planes.docx

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