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## The Essence of Eight Yogic Visions (762)
The eight yogic visions can be compared to the light of a straw fire, a village fire, a wooden fire, a lamp, a jewel, a star, the sun, and the moon, respectively. These eight visions correspond to the eight limbs of yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. They are attained by overcoming the eight types of mental defilements: Khed (sorrow), Udvega (anxiety), Kshepa (agitation), Utthana (excitement), Bhrānti (delusion), Anyamud (confusion), Rugna (illness), and Asanga (attachment). The eight virtues: Advesha (non-attachment), Jijnasa (curiosity), Shushrusha (service), Shravana (listening), Adhyayana (study), Mimamsa (reflection), Pratipatti (understanding), and Pravritti (action) manifest in these eight visions. (For clarity, refer to the accompanying table.)
Here, the word "Dristi" signifies a vision that is aligned with the right faith and the teachings of the scriptures. It leads to the cessation of wrong actions and the manifestation of right actions.
In these eight yogic visions, the first four, starting with Mitra, are characterized by Mithyatva (false belief). Samyaktva (right belief) begins with the fifth vision, called Sthira. Although the first four visions are marked by Mithyatva, they are still considered part of the six visions because they contribute to the attainment of Samyaktva. Just as sugarcane juice and molasses are essential for the production of pure sugar, the stages of Mitra, etc., are crucial for the attainment of pure soul liberation. The vision of Mitra, etc., is like sugarcane, as it yields the sweetness of the nectar of right conduct.
The first four visions, starting with Mitra, are considered to be either "Pratipati" (reversible) or "A-pratipati" (irreversible). However, the last four visions, starting with Sthira, are always irreversible. Once attained, they cannot be lost, and therefore, there is no possibility of suffering in hell, etc. After attaining these irreversible visions, the journey towards liberation becomes continuous and unbroken. If there are any remaining karmic burdens, one may have to take temporary birth as a god or human, but ultimately, one will reach the city of liberation, the "true home."
**Table**
| Yogic Vision | Limb | Defilement | Virtue | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitra | Yama | Khed | Advesha | Straw fire |
| Tara | Niyama | Udvega | Jijnasa | Village fire |
| La | Asana | Kshepa | Shushrusha | Wooden fire |
| Digra | Pranayama | Utthana | Shravana | Lamp |
| Sthira | Pratyahara | Bhrānti | Adhyayana | Jewel |
| Kanta | Dharana | Anyamud | Mimamsa | Star |
| Prabha | Dhyana | Rugna | Pratipatti | Sun |
| Para | Samadhi | Asanga | Pravritti | Moon |
**Note:** Mithyatva (false belief) prevails in the first four visions. Samyaktva (right belief) begins with the fifth vision.