Defining Sankhya-yoga

Chapter 25

Saunaka Rishi requests Suta Goswami to continue narrating the fascinating conversation between Maitreya and Vidura, in which they recalled the discussions between Devahuti and Lord Kapila.

Recalling Brahma’s prediction, Devahuti approached Kapiladeva for instruction, feeling frustrated that her mind and senses had led her into materialistic life. Kapiladeva proceeded to describe the process of sankhya-yoga and other key spiritual principles.

Kapiladeva stressed that the mind must be freed from the impurities of the modes of material nature (gunas) and the false identifications of ‘I’ and ‘mine.’ Only after such purification can one’s mind become strongly attached to the Lord. Bhakti is the best process for transforming the mind, especially when practised in the company of saintly people. The association of pure devotees awakens faith (sraddha), attraction (rati) and pure devotion (bhakti). Indeed, if one becomes attached to such saintly personalities, the doors to liberation are opened. As one engages in uncontaminated bhakti, various symptoms of spiritual advancement begin to manifest within the practitioner. Interestingly, devotion is so valuable that practitioners of any yoga system require some element of bhakti to be factored in to achieve their respective goals.