Vol. 19, Issue 1, Jan-Jun 2025

Page: 125-133

The Nature of Isvara in the Patañjala Yoga Darsana: A Critical Study

Shivam Mani Tripathi

Received Date: 2025-03-04

Accepted Date: 2025-04-25

Published Date: 2025-05-06

The present paper, "The Nature of Isvara in Patañjali's Yoga Philosophy: A Critical Study," offers a comprehensive analysis of the distinctive concept of Isvara (God) as expounded in the Yoga Sutras of Maharshi Patañjali. It examines the characteristics of Isvara and His role in the attainment of liberation (moksa). Yoga philosophy is not confined merely to physical practices or ritualistic actions; rather, it is a profound system aimed at the cessation of the modifications of the mind (citta-vrtti-nirodha) and the realization of kaivalya (absolute liberation). Unlike Sankhya philosophy, which recognizes twenty-five principles (tattvas), the Yoga system accepts Isvara as the twenty-sixth principle.

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