Success in Kaivalya

Success in Kaivalya

by Swami Sivananda

1. MIND FIT FOR KAIVALYA

Then the mind is bent towards discrimination, and is attracted towards Kaivalya.

NOTES

The mind which was bent upon worldly things is now bent upon discrimination. Such a mind is naturally attracted towards Kaivalya. The Yogi has no other thought than the idea of Kaivalya. He now knows that the mind or Prakriti is entirely distinct from the Soul or Purusha. He becomes absolutely fearless. All sorrows melt now. All Klesas totally vanish. He feels his absolute freedom now. He has reached the highest goal of life. He has the highest knowledge.

2. THOUGHTS ARE OBSTACLES

In the intervals, arise other thoughts from the old Samskaras

NOTES

Even though the mind of the Yogi is full of the idea of Kaivalya, at intervals the previous Samskaras overpower him. There comes break in his knowledge. All these Samskaras also should be obliterated or entirely wiped out. Then he will have continuous knowledge without any break. This is the meaning of this Sutra. In the interval between one Vritti and another Vritti, extraneous Vrittis born of Purva Vasanas may try to enter as foreign bodies and may break the continuous stream of discrimination and Kaivalya.

3. REMEDY FOR OBSTACLES

Their (old Vasanas) destruction is by destroying like the afflictions (described in Sutra II-10).

NOTES

The Vrittis that manifest in the internal, lose their force and energy gradually and become like burnt seeds and so do not trouble the Yogi. The old Vasanas should be completely destroyed by the same way as the afflictions are destroyed, i.e., by meditation and by resolving the mind back into its primal cause, i.e., by attaining Samadhi.

Kaivalya is not a state of negation or annihilation as some foolishly imagine. It is perfect awareness. It is like Amalaka fruit in the palm of the hand. It is the highest state of bliss and knowledge. It is the highest goal of life. It is the eternal life in the spirit or pure consciousness. It is the state of absolute peace, where cares, worries, fears, anxieties, tribulations, sorrows, Vasanas and Trishnas do not torment the soul. It is the state of eternal sunshine and perennial joy. It is a state that cannot be adequately described in words. How can you describe the sweetness of sugarcandy? It is the state which is to be realised and felt through Aparoksha-anubhuti, one’s own experience through Vairagya, Sadhana and Samadhi.

When the Purusha has completely disconnected himself from the Prakriti and its effects, when he has realised that his happiness does not depend upon external objects, when he has recognised his own glory and independence, and when he feels his absolute freedom, then alone he has attained Kaivalya.

The Purusha realises His own native state of Divine Glory, Isolation or Absolute Independence. He has completely disconnected himself from the Prakriti and its effects. He feels his absolute freedom and attains Kaivalya, the highest goal of Raja Yoga. All Klesha-karmas are destroyed now. The Gunas having fulfilled their objects of Bhoga and Apavarga now entirely cease to act. He has simultaneous knowledge now. The past and future are blended into the present. Everything is ‘now’. The sum total of all knowledge of the three worlds, of all secular sciences is nothing, nothing; it is mere husk when compared to the infinite knowledge of a Yogi who has attained Kaivalya. Glory, glory to such exalted Yogins. May their blessings be upon us all!

Om Santi Santi Santih!

Success in Kaivalya – Liberation, Inner Freedom, and Supreme Independence

Success in Kaivalya is the highest achievement of spiritual life. It does not mean worldly success, name, fame, wealth, power, or social recognition. It means complete freedom from ignorance, ego, desire, attachment, fear, and bondage. In yogic and Vedantic language, this state is the realization of the true self as pure, peaceful, eternal, and independent.

Human beings usually search for success outside. They want comfort, respect, achievement, relationship, security, and pleasure. These things may have practical value, but they are temporary. They come and go with time and circumstances. A person may gain much outwardly and still remain inwardly restless. Real fulfillment begins when the seeker turns toward the unchanging truth within.

Success in Kaivalya requires discrimination. The seeker must clearly understand the difference between the permanent and the temporary, the self and the non-self, freedom and bondage. The body changes, the mind changes, emotions change, and circumstances change. The witnessing awareness remains present through all experiences. To recognize this witness is the beginning of higher wisdom.

Ignorance is the root of bondage. Because of ignorance, a person identifies with the body, senses, mind, ego, name, form, and personal story. From this wrong identification arise desire, fear, anger, jealousy, pride, sorrow, and restlessness. When true knowledge dawns, the false identity becomes weak, and the seeker begins to feel inner freedom.

Success in Kaivalya is not gained by mere discussion or intellectual pride. It requires sincere practice. Study of scriptures, reflection, meditation, prayer, self-control, service, and purity of conduct are necessary. Without practice, even high philosophy remains only words. The teaching must enter thought, speech, action, and daily living.

The mind must become pure and steady. A restless mind cannot easily realize the highest truth. Greed, hatred, lust, pride, jealousy, and selfishness disturb inner vision. Truthfulness, compassion, humility, moderation, forgiveness, devotion, and selfless service purify the mind. A pure mind becomes fit for deep meditation and realization.

Success in Kaivalya also needs detachment. Detachment does not mean hatred of life. It means freedom from blind clinging. The seeker performs duties sincerely, loves with maturity, works honestly, and serves others, but does not become a slave of results. This inner independence protects peace in success and failure.

Meditation is a central discipline. Sit quietly and observe the body, breath, thoughts, emotions, and ego. Everything observed is changing. The observer remains. Rest again and again in this witnessing awareness. As meditation deepens, the mind becomes less disturbed by outer events and more established in silence.

Success in Kaivalya demands mastery over the senses. The senses run toward pleasure, taste, form, sound, touch, and comfort. If uncontrolled, they drag the mind outward and create bondage. Through moderation, discipline, noble company, and higher aspiration, the seeker gradually becomes stronger than sense cravings.

A Guru or wise guide is helpful on this path. The mind can misunderstand subtle truths and mistake temporary experiences for final realization. A true guide removes doubt, corrects weakness, and points the seeker toward steady practice. But the aspirant must walk the path with sincerity, humility, and perseverance.

Success in Kaivalya is marked by peace, not display. The liberated one does not need to prove greatness. Ego becomes weak, desires become quiet, and the heart becomes compassionate. Such a person remains balanced in praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and pain. Their freedom is inward, deep, and natural.

This state also brings fearlessness. Fear arises from attachment to body, possessions, relationships, reputation, and future results. When the seeker realizes the self as beyond birth and death, fear loses its power. The world may continue to change, but the inner being remains steady and untouched.

Success in Kaivalya is the end of dependence on external conditions for happiness. The seeker discovers that peace is not something to be collected from objects. It is the nature of the self. When ignorance is removed, inner fullness shines by itself. This is supreme independence, the freedom of the soul.

In practical life, the aspirant should move step by step. Control speech, reduce anger, eat moderately, serve daily, meditate regularly, keep good company, study noble teachings, and examine the mind honestly. Each small victory over ego and desire brings the seeker closer to freedom.

In the end, Success in Kaivalya is the crown of spiritual effort. It is the realization of the self beyond body, mind, ego, desire, and change. Through discrimination, detachment, purity, meditation, devotion, selfless service, Guru’s guidance, and steady self-inquiry, the seeker attains supreme peace, fearlessness, and liberation.

Kaivalya