Patanjali Yogasutra 3.4 & 3.5
(संयम)
त्रयमेकत्र संयमः।।३.४।।
"The three (dharana, dhyana, and samadhi) practiced together constitute samyama (perfect concentration)."
तज्जयात्प्रज्ञालोकः।।३.५।।
"From the Mastery of samyama, the light of higher knowledge (intuition or wisdom) dawns."
In Patanjali Yogasutra 3.4, Patanjali introduces the concept of samyama, which is the integrated practice of the final three limbs of yoga: dharana
(concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (complete absorption).
These stages represent a deepening progression of focus and awareness. When practiced together, they form the pinnacle of mental discipline, allowing the practitioner to have complete mastery over the mind. The unification of these three states into one seamless experience is called samyama, which is the key to accessing Higher States of Consciousness.
In the subsequent verse, Yogasutra 3.5, Patanjali highlights the outcome of mastering samyama. Through the perfection of this discipline, the practitioner experiences
pragya or intuitive wisdom—this is referred to as the "Light of Higher Knowledge" (pragya-aloka). It is an illumination that transcends ordinary intellectual understanding. This wisdom is not merely theoretical; it is experiential and transformative, providing direct insight into the True Nature of Reality and Self. It aligns with the concept of intuitive Knowledge, which arises when the fluctuations of the mind are stilled.
The wisdom gained through
samyama is not bound by sensory input or logical deduction; instead, it arises from a profound Inner Stillness.
This Inner Light dispels the darkness of ignorance and enables the yogi to perceive truths that were previously obscured. This Knowledge is often described as liberating, as it grants the practitioner a higher understanding of existence and freedom from suffering. Thus, Patanjali presents samyama as the bridge to transcendental wisdom and Ultimate Realization.
Swami Vivekanand said:
"When a man can direct his mind to any particular object and fix it there, and then keep it there for a long time, separating the object from the internal part, this is Samyama; or Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, one following the other, and making one. The form of the thing has vanished, and only its meaning remains in the mind.
When one has succeeded in making this Samyama, all powers come under his control. This is the great instrument of the Yogi. The object of Knowledge are Infinite, and they are divided into the gross, grosser, grossest, and the fine, finer, finest, and so on. This Samyama should be first applied to gross things, when when you begin to get knowledge of the gross, slowly, by stages, it should be brought to finer things."
Context from Other Vedic Texts:
For a comparative understanding, let’s explore similar verses from other Vedic texts.
Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.9
भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिश्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः।
क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि तस्मिन्दृष्टे परावरे॥
"When He is seen, both the higher and the lower, the knot of the heart is rent asunder, all doubts are resolved, and all actions cease to bear fruit."
This verse from the Mundaka Upanishad resonates with the idea of the "Light of Knowledge" that Patanjali speaks of. When one Realizes the Highest Truth (here referred to as "He" or the Absolute), all mental afflictions (hṛdaya-granthi or the knots of the heart) dissolve, and the person attains clarity, similar to the intuitive wisdom (pragya)
described by Patanjali. The resolution of doubts mirrors the transcendence of ignorance through samyama.
Bhagavad Gita 10.11
तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहं ज्ञानजं तमः।
नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता॥
"Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling within their hearts, destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of Knowledge."
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna describes the light of knowledge (jnana-deepa) that removes the darkness of ignorance. This is strikingly similar to the concept of pragya-aloka mentioned in Yogasutra 3.5. Both highlight the transformative power of Divine Knowledge that illuminates the Inner Self, leading to a state of liberation from ignorance.
Yoga Vashishta 6.1.15
योगिनः परमं ज्ञानं विद्यते शुद्धचित्तताम्।
तत्प्राप्त्वा सुखमाप्नोति परं यत्र न विद्यते॥
"For the yogi who has attained the Supreme Knowledge, a state of pure mind arises. Having achieved that, he experiences Supreme Bliss, where no sorrow remains."
This verse from the Yoga Vashishta emphasizes the attainment of Higher Knowledge (param jnanam)
leading to a State of Pure Consciousness. This is aligned with Patanjali’s description of the Light of Knowledge (pragya-aloka)
obtained through samyama. Both texts highlight that this knowledge brings a state of unshakeable bliss and freedom from suffering, pointing toward the Ultimate Goal of yoga - Realization.
By comparing these texts, we see a common thread that emphasizes the transformative and liberating power of Knowledge gained through deep meditative practices.
Patanjali’s samyama, the Bhagavad Gita’s jnana-deepa, the Upanishads’ Realization of the Self, and the Yoga Vashishta’s param jnana all underscore the importance of intuitive wisdom as the path to Realization.
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