Question

The "Dhṛashta" in the "Tada Dhṛashṭuh swaroopeavasthhanam" sutra is:-

• A. Purush
• B. Prakṛiti
• C. Buddhi
• D. Ishwar

Hint:

Remember: \[ \text{Draṣṭā / Dhṛashta} \rightarrow \text{Purusha (The Seer)} \] in the Yoga Sutra: \[ \textit{Tadā Draṣṭuḥ Svarūpe'vasthānam} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The sutra: \[ \textit{Tadā Draṣṭuḥ Svarūpe'vasthānam} \] is from the Patanjali Yoga Sutra (Chapter 1, Sutra 3). It means: \[ \text{``Then the Seer abides in his own true nature.''} \] Here, “Draṣṭā” or “Dhṛashta” means the Seer, the witnessing consciousness, which in Yoga philosophy refers to the Purusha — the pure conscious Self.

Step 1: Understand the meaning of the sutra.
The sutra appears after the definition of Yoga: \[ \textit{Yogaś chitta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ} \] which means: \[ \text{Yoga is the cessation of mental modifications.} \] When the fluctuations of the mind stop: \[ \textit{Tadā Draṣṭuḥ Svarūpe'vasthānam} \] that is: \[ \text{The Seer remains established in its true nature.} \]

Step 2: Identify who the “Dhṛashta” is.
In Yoga philosophy: \[ \text{Dhṛashta (Draṣṭā)} = \text{Purusha} \] Purusha is the eternal witnessing consciousness, separate from mind and matter.

Step 3: Analyze the given options.
Option (A): Purush
Purusha is the witnessing Self or Seer. This correctly represents the meaning of “Dhṛashta.” Option (B): Prakṛiti
Prakriti refers to material nature and not the witnessing consciousness. Option (C): Buddhi
Buddhi means intellect or discriminative faculty, which is part of Prakriti. Option (D): Ishwar
Ishwar refers to the special Purusha or supreme consciousness, but the sutra specifically refers to the individual witnessing Self.

Step 4: Identify the correct option.
Since “Dhṛashta” refers to the witnessing consciousness or Seer, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{Purush}} \]