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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book 1 - The Problem of Union
23. By intense devotion to Ishvara, knowledge of Ishvara is gained.

Ishvara is the son in manifestation through the sun. This is the macrocosmic aspect. Ishvara is the son of God, the cosmic Christ, resplendent in the heart of each of us. The word "heart" is here used in its occult connotation. The following correspondences may be found illuminating and should be studied with care.
 
Aspect Quality Center Macrocosm
Spirit Father Monad Will Head Central spiritual sun
Soul Son Ego Love Heart Heart of the sun
Body Holy Spirit Personality Active Intelligence Throat Physical sun
 
Ishvara is the second aspect, and therefore the [47] real meaning of this sutra is that through intense devotion to, and love of Ishvara, the Christ in manifestation, that Christ or soul may be contacted or known. Ishvara is God in the heart of every child of God; He is to be found in the cave of the heart; He is to be reached through pure love and devoted service, and when reached He will be seen seated upon the twelve petalled lotus of the heart, holding in his hands the "jewel in the lotus." Thus the devotee finds Ishvara. When the devotee becomes the raja yogin then Ishvara will reveal to him the secret of the jewel. When Christ is known as king upon the throne of the heart, then He will reveal the Father to His devotee. But the devotee has to tread the Path of Raja Yoga, and combine intellectual knowledge, mental control and discipline before the revelation can be truly made. The mystic must eventually become the occultist: the head qualities and the heart qualities must be equally developed, for both are equally divine.
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