3.56 – Absolute freedom is experienced when the higher intellect becomes as pure as Awareness Itself.

सत्त्वपुरुषयोः शुद्धिसाम्ये कैवल्यम् ॥५५॥

sattva purusayoh suddhi samye kaivalyam iti

  • sattva – primal force of luminosity; subtlest aspect of the intellect (buddhi)
  • purusayoh – of the soul; spirit; Pure Awareness; the true Self
  • suddhi – purity
  • samye – same; identical; equal
  • kaivalyam – liberation; perfect unity; enlightenment; freedom; Self-knowledge
  • iti – thus

As stated repeatedly throughout the text and commentary, Pure Awareness is our true nature. It is changeless, timeless, boundless, and beyond all suffering. Awareness cannot be improved on or added to. It is forever whole and complete.

The purpose and practice of yoga is to remove the impurities which veil our recognition of That which we already are. When the buddhi (higher intellect) is finally wiped clean, it reflects the pure nature of the Self.

To quote Blake again:

“If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, Infinite.”