Chapter-3, Sutra16

Patanjali Yogasutra 3.16

परिणामत्रयसंयमादतीतानागतज्ञानम् ॥ १६॥

"By practicing samyama (focused meditation) on the threefold transformations of nature, one attains knowledge of the past and future."

In this Sutra, Patanjali introduces the concept of acquiring knowledge of past and future events through deep meditative focus (samyama) on the three types of changes (parinama) that govern all of Nature. These three transformations refer to the shifts in the nature of the material world, specifically the transformations related to form, characteristics, and condition. This Sutra emphasizes that time is not an independent entity but rather a reflection of the changes in objects and phenomena. By meditating on these changes, one can transcend the linear perception of time and gain insights into events of the past and future.

The three types of transformations include:

1. Dharma Parinama - Change in the inherent characteristics or form of an object.

2. Lakshana Parinama - Change in the temporal aspects or the conditions associated with an object.

3. Avastha Parinama - Change in the state of an object over time.

When a yogi masters samyama on these three aspects, they can access the flow of time itself, understanding how objects and events have evolved and how they will continue to evolve. This knowledge provides a holistic view of time and existence, allowing the practitioner to perceive beyond the limitations of the present moment.

Furthermore, this Sutra touches on the idea that time is not an external phenomenon, but an intrinsic aspect of the manifest world. Time is a measurement of change, and by mastering the Knowledge of these changes, a yogi can perceive time in its entirety, viewing past, present, and future as interconnected rather than separate. This deeper understanding of time is part of the wisdom that the Yoga Sutras encourage the practitioner to cultivate in their journey toward Self-Realization.

Swami Vivekanand said:

"We must not lose sight of the first definition of Samyama. When the mind has attained to that state when it identifies itself with the internal impression of the object, leaving the external, and when, by long practice, that is retained by the mind, and the mind can get into that state in a moment, that is Samyama. If a man in that State wants to know the past and future he has to make a Samyama on the changes in the Samskaras. Some are working now at present, some have worked out, and some are waiting to work; so by making a samyama on these he knows the past and future."

Comparison with Similar Verses from Vedic Texts:

Mundaka Upanishad 1.1.6

द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परिषस्वजाते ।

तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्यनश्नन्नन्यो अभिचाकशीति ॥

"Two birds, inseparable companions, perch on the same tree. One eats the sweet fruit, the other looks onl without eating."

This verse from the Mundaka Upanishad symbolically represents two states of being: the individual soul (jiva) experiencing the fruits of its actions (past and future) and the higher Self (Atman), which remains a passive observer, unaffected by time and change. This idea parallels Patanjali's concept of transcending temporal limitations through spiritual knowledge, as the Atman is beyond time and remains unchanging.

Bhagavad Gita 4.1

श्रीभगवानुवाच

इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्।

विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्॥

"The Blessed Lord said: I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan (the Sun god), and Vivasvan taught it to Manu, and Manu taught it to Ikshvaku."

Here, Krishna speaks of imparting eternal knowledge that transcends generations, suggesting that wisdom (like time) is cyclical and Eternal. This echoes the idea in Yogasutra 3.16 that knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge, exists beyond the confines of linear time and can be accessed through focused meditation.

Yoga Vashishta 3.14.56

कालस्य किमयं व्यामो मृगजालस्य वा पुनः ।

आकाशे वा पयो बिन्दुर्यथा तिष्ठति नान्यथा ॥

"What is this delusion of time? Is it not like a mirage? It is akin to a drop of water floating in the sky, impermanent and illusory."

This verse from the Yoga Vashishta speaks of the illusory nature of time, emphasizing that time is not an absolute reality but rather a perception or a mental construct. 

Similar to the teachings of Patanjali, it suggests that time is a relative experience tied to changes in the material world and can be transcended through Higher Knowledge and spiritual practice.