DEFINITION AND PROPERTIES OF DHYĀNA IN THE YOGA SŪTRAS OF PATAÑJALI (YS 1.39, 2.11, 3.2, 4.6)

• Main Author: Dmitry A. Danilov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University Publishing 2018-06-01
• Series: Вісник Харківського національного університету імені В.Н. Каразіна. Серія Філософія, філософські перипетії
• Subjects: dhyāna; dhāraṇā; samādhi; Yoga Sūtras; Patañjali; yoga
• Online Access: https://periodicals.karazin.ua/philosophy/article/view/11412/10948
• ISSN: 2226-0994; 2414-5904

This article provides the characteristics of “dhyāna” term found in Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. Here mentions of dhyāna in the text of Patañjali are studied. The article shows that the notion of dhyāna in Yoga Sūtras has for the first time been given a philosophical underpinning in which the cognitive element of the term plays the key role. Despite a long history of study of Yoga Sūtras the notion of dhyāna and its qualities receives little attention so this fact determines the actuality of the study. The article reveals the content of the sūtras of Patañjali explaining the qualities of dhyāna: thorough analysis of the place of dhyāna and its hierarchic position, and its relationships with other notions. It has been established that Yoga Sūtras do not only include the definition of dhyāna but also describe its function in relation to consciousness (tolerance against distraction) determining the meaning of dhyāna as a practice of “bringing the consciousness together”. As a result of the analysis of the sūtras the two key qualities of dhyāna in relation to consciousness have been revealed: “integrating” and “transcending”. Dhyāna helps to gather consciousness which is an integrating quality as a practice of counteraction to distraction of mind. It is demonstrated that dhyāna, as an instrument of counteraction to splitting of consciousness, shows its transcending quality contributing to sophistication of consciousness. In the comments on Yoga Sūtras by Vyāsa the first example of “somatization of dhyāna” has been emphasized, thus revealing a semantic transition from a mentally oriented understanding of dhyāna to a body oriented “somatic” concept where the focus of attention in yoga has been displaced from cognition to corporeality.