Yoga Sutras
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
    • 4-1
    • 4-2
    • 4-3
    • 4-4
    • 4-5
    • 4-6
    • 4-7
    • 4-8
    • 4-9
    • 4-10
    • 4-11
    • 4-12
    • 4-13
    • 4-14
    • 4-15
    • 4-16
    • 4-17
    • 4-18
    • 4-19
    • 4-20
    • 4-21
    • 4-22
    • 4-23
    • 4-24
    • 4-25
    • 4-26
    • 4-27
    • 4-28
    • 4-29
    • 4-30
    • 4-31
    • 4-32
    • 4-33
    • 4-34

< 4-3  >

nimittam-aprayojakaṃ prakṛtīnāṃ varaṇa-bhedaḥ tu tataḥ kṣetrikavat

निमित्तमप्रयोजकं प्रकृतीनांवरणभेदस्तु ततः क्षेत्रिकवत्

The instrumental cause is not the initiator of the process of matter, but divides the surrounding, hence like a farmer


nimitta - instrumental cause

aprayojaka - not the initiator

prakṛti - the original producer of the material world; nature or process of matter; nature, character, constitution, temper, disposition

varaṇa - surrounding

bheda - divide, pierce

tu - moreover

tatas - hence, from that

kṣetrika - like a farmer


Commentary by TKV Desikachar:

“Krishnamacharya’s teaching is a Nimitta Kāraṇa – Where you discover your own way.”