Chapter-2, Sutra 27

Patanjali Yogasutra 2.27

(Seven Steps to Enlightenment)

तस्य सप्तधा प्रान्तभूमिः प्रज्ञा || 2.27 ||

"His wisdom is sevenfold, reaching the final stage."

In this Sutra, Patanjali indicates that the ultimate wisdom (prajñā) is Realized in seven stages, each representing a progressive refinement and deepening of spiritual understanding. The word "प्रान्तभूमिः" (prānta-bhūmiḥ) refers to the final or ultimate ground, and "सप्तधा" (saptadhā) suggests that this Realization happens in seven distinct stages or forms. These stages mark the yogi's journey toward the Highest State of Consciousness, where all ignorance and confusion are removed.

The sevenfold wisdom can be interpreted as the different layers of insight that gradually unfold in a yogi's mind as they progress on the spiritual path. These insights not only clarify the Nature of the Self but also dissolve the misconceptions and attachments that bind the soul to worldly existence. As the yogi advances, each stage brings a more profound Realization, leading them closer to the state of Kaivalya (Self-Realization).

This Sutra underscores the gradual and systematic nature of spiritual progress in yoga. It is not a sudden enlightenment but a process of continuous refinement and deepening understanding. The seven stages of wisdom illustrate that the journey towards liberation is one of progressive clarity, where each step removes more of the veils that obscure the True Nature of the Self.

Swami Vivekanand had the following to say on how this spiritual unfoldment happens in 7 steps: 

"When this knowledge comes, it will come, as it were, in seven grades, one after the other, and when one of these has begun we may know that we are getting Knowledge. 

The first to appear will be that we have known what is to be known. The mind will cease to be dissatisfied. While we are aware of thirsting after Knowledge we begin to seek here and there, wherever we think we can get some truth, and, failing to find it we become dissatisfied and seek in a fresh direction. All search is vain, until we begin to perceive that Knowledge is within ourselves, that no one can help us, that we must help ourselves. When we begin to practice the power of discrimination, the first sign that we are getting near truth will be that that dissatisfied state will vanish. We shall feel quite sure that we have found the Truth, and that it cannot be anything else but the Truth. Then we may know that the sun is rising, that the morning is breaking for us, and, taking courage, we must persevere until the goal is reached. 

The second grade will be that all pains will be gone. It will be impossible for anything in the universe, physical, mental, or spiritual, to give us pain. 

The third will be that we shall get full Knowledge, that omniscience will be ours. 

The fourth will come what is called freedom of the Chitta. We shall realise that all these difficulties and struggles have fallen off from us. All these vacillations of the mind, when the mind cannot be controlled, have failed down, just as a stone falls from the mountain top into the valley and never comes up again. 

The fifth will be that this Chitta itself will realise that it melts away into its causes whenever we so desire. 

The sixth we shall find that we are established in our Self, that we have been alone throughout the universe, neither body nor mind was ever connected with us, much less joined to us. They were working their own way, and we, through ignorance, joined ourselves to them. But we have been alone, omnipotent, omnipresent, ever blessed; our own Self was so Pure and Perfect that we required none else. We required none else to make us happy, for we are happiness itself. 

The seventh we shall find that this Knowledge does not depend on anything else; throughout the universe there can be nothing that will not become effulgent before our Knowledge. This will be the last state, and the Yogi will become peaceful and calm, never to feel any more pain, never to be again deluded, never to touch misery. He knows he is ever blessed, ever perfect, almighty."

Comparative Context from Other Vedic Texts:

Katha Upanishad 1.3.13

ऋतं पिबन्तौ सुकृतस्य लोके गुहां प्रविष्टौ परमे परार्धे।

छायातपौ ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति पञ्चाग्नयो ये च त्रिणाचिकेताः॥

"Two who drink of the truth in the world of good deeds, who have entered the secret place, the supreme path, they declare the Brahman, who know the five fires and those who have performed the three Nachiketas."

This verse from the Katha Upanishad speaks about the journey of Realization and the importance of wisdom that unfolds as one advances on the spiritual path. Similar to Patanjali's sevenfold wisdom, the Katha Upanishad emphasizes the progressive nature of spiritual knowledge and the Ultimate Realization of Brahman, the Absolute Reality.

Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.9

भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः।

क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि तस्मिन्दृष्टे परावरे॥

"When the knot of the heart is untied, all doubts are cut asunder, and all his karmas are destroyed. Then the seer attains the Supreme immortal."

This verse from the Mundaka Upanishad aligns with the idea of wisdom removing ignorance, similar to the sevenfold wisdom described by Patanjali. The "knot of the heart" symbolizes ignorance of the Pind Pradesh, and as it is untied, the yogi experiences freedom from doubts and karmic bonds, leading to the Realization of the Ultimate Truth.

Yoga Vashishta 6.1.12

सप्तपदीकृतं ज्ञानं मोक्षमप्रति पद्यते।

प्रत्यगात्मावबोधेन मुक्तिरायाति नान्यथा॥

"The Knowledge that has progressed through seven steps leads to liberation. Liberation is attained through the Realization of the Inner Self, not otherwise."

The Yoga Vashishta here directly resonates with the concept of sevenfold wisdom mentioned in the Yogasutra. It emphasizes that True Knowledge is gained through stages and leads to liberation, which is achieved by Realizing the Inner Self. This reflects the progressive nature of spiritual wisdom as described by Patanjali.

These comparisons illustrate that the concept of progressive Realization is a recurring theme across various Vedic texts, affirming the idea that spiritual wisdom deepens and unfolds in stages, ultimately leading to the highest state of Self-Realization.