When celestial beings invite, there should be no attachment or pride, for there is danger of undesirable connection.

Sthānin are celestial beings, those with elevated position. Upanimantraṇa is invitation. Saṅga is attachment. Smaya is pride. Akaraṇa is not doing. Aniṣṭa is undesirable. Prasaṅga is connection.

The advanced yogī attracts the attention of beings from higher planes: devas, siddhas, celestial entities. They may invite the yogī to join them, offer powers, positions, celestial pleasures.

Patañjali warns: there should be no attachment to these offers nor pride in receiving them.

Why? Because accepting them binds the yogī to those planes. It is a detour from the path to kaivalya.

The heavens are golden cages. Better than earth, but cages nonetheless. The yogī seeks total freedom, not a better prison.

Also, pride in being invited is a trap. “I must be very special if the devas court me.” That thought feeds the ego.

The correct attitude is to acknowledge and continue. The goal lies beyond all planes.