Yogasutra 3 - 12

Patanjali Yogasutra Samadhi Pada (3 to 12)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namaha

3. Thatha drashtu swaroope avastanam

Meaning : As mentioned in sloka 2 (chitta vritti are contained to obtain a clear intellect), then the manas (mind) becomes purified and becomes a clear lake without thought waves. Such a mind will show what lies underneath, as well as it can reflect the seer. When mind becomes silent, Seer (drashtu) can see reflection of the self clearly. Also, the latent tendencies lying underneath the surface of mind (which cause the waves) can also be seen clearly, thus leading to further purification of mind.

4. vritti swaroopyam itaratra

Meaning : Otherwise we are that object on which we meditate upon or where our chitta vritti is. If we feel intensely about an object we become that, for the time being for which we feel for that object. For eg: when we are hungry, our thoughts center around food. Nothing else matters.

5. vrittayyaha panchatayyaha, klishta aklishta

Meaning : Vrittis are 5 types, with difficult karma consequences and without difficult karmic influence.

6. Pramana-Viparyaya-vikalpa-nidra-smritayaha

Meaning : The 5 vrittis are Pramana(evidence), Viparyaya(illusory knowledge), vikalpa(false knowledge), Nidra(knowledge of absence), Smriti(Memory based).

7. Pratyaksha, anumana, agamaha pramanaani

Meaning : Pramana itself is of 3 types, Pratyaksha(Direct knowledge percieved through senses), Anumana(Inference), Agama(scriptural knowledge or apta vakya).

Anumana means, knowledge that is derived inferentially based on some facts. for eg: If there is smoke on mountain, it means there should be fire on mountain.

Agama is also known as 'Aapta vakya' and scriptural knowledge. If a person of utmost integrity says that he has experienced something, then we should not disbelieve just on the basis of our inexperience. But this person has to have impeccable character, integrity, and souseelya (good conduct). We need to cross-verify if need be, but should not throw away such evidence.

8. Viparyayo mithya jnanam atathroopam pratishtam

Meaning : Viparyaya means illusory knowledge. We mistake an object for something else based on its roopa (shape).

Eg 1: Gold necklace. On seeing it we see a beautiful necklace, but forget the gold.

Eg 2: We call an airplane made out of paper as airplane, But we forget to view it as just paper.

9. Shabda jnana anupathee vastu soonyo vikalpaha

Meaning : Vikalpa means false knowledge based on sound.

10. abhava- pratyaya aalambana vrittir nidraa

Meaning : Nidra means that vritti where we get knowledge of absence. for eg: in deep sleep we dont experience anything including our ego's existence . after waking up we say 'I slept'.

11. Anubhoota vishayaa sampramoshaha smritihi

Meaning : We record our experiences and play it back as and when needed. This vritti is called smriti. Smriti is actually dangerous. Whatever we experience in Pratyaksha, anumana, viparyaya, vikalpa, is stored in Smriti. So it may be possible that records exist on same subject which are result of all the 4 vrittis mentioned above. Now which one to pull and compare with present experience, which one is correct, which record to go by is what is the challenge before the intellect.

12. Abhyasa vairagya tannirodaha

Meaning : All the 5 vrittis can be contained/controlled/annihilated by Abhyasa(practice) and vairagya(detachment).

Abhyasa makes man perfect. However bad the vrittis are for a person, by indulging in good company, inculcating good habits, the old bad habits can be left. Vairagya helps a person in moving from bad to good.

HariOm

Prasad