Book 1 Sutra 7
The translation:
Pratyaksa – direct perception
Anumana – inference
Agamah- sacred scripture (the Bible)
Pramanai – kinds of proof
The Sutra:
“Correct knowledge is direct, inferred and proven as factual.”
The explanation:
This sutra is stating that the dependence of our own perceptual knowledge is not enough to justify truth. That TRUTH comes with direct, proven testimony from authorities’ sacred scriptures or persons.
Iyengar goes on to explain in his translation of this yoga sutra that – “The quality of intelligence is inherent but dormant, so our first step must be to awaken it.”
What the Bible say’s:
The Bible agrees with this statement. Trough our willingness to surrender our lives to God and pick up our crosses daily for him, the Holy Spirit may work completely within us.
Hebrews 10 5-16 “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings, you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’”
First, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again, he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First, he says:
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
My conclusion – remember this is mine and I encourage you to come to your own with God.
When we are in a relationship with God and in all things putting Him first, studying scripture and your vessel of relationship (your body and mind) then God will show you correct knowledge. In my heart, this sutra and the Bible also agree.
This study was conducted by Antiqua Lisha E-RYT 500 and owner of the RYS Twist Yoga – to learn more and begin your training start there.
