Chapter-3, Sutra 38

Patanjali Yogasutra 3.38

बन्धकारणशैथिल्यात्प्रचारसंवेदनाच्च चित्तस्य परशरीरावेशः || 3.38 ||

"By loosening the cause of bondage and through the knowledge of the process of moving consciousness, the Yogi gains the ability to enter another's body."

In this Sutra, Patanjali describes an advanced siddhi (supernatural power) that arises as a result of the Yogi's mastery over the mind and Consciousness. The phrase "बन्धकारणशैथिल्यात्" refers to the loosening of the cause of bondage, which is primarily attachment to the ego and the body. When a practitioner weakens the identification with their physical form and the limitations imposed by material existence, they gain greater freedom over their Consciousness. This is essential for transcending the limitations of one’s own body and preparing for more subtle experiences.

The next part, "प्रचारसंवेदनाच्च," speaks of understanding or experiencing the movement of Consciousness. This refers to the deep insight the Yogi gains into how their Consciousness operates, not only within their own body but also how it can move independently of the physical body. The practitioner becomes aware of Consciousness as distinct from the body, understanding it as fluid and omnipresent, which allows them to potentially move it at will. The culmination of this process is "चित्तस्य परशरीरावेशः," or the ability to enter another body. This means that the Yogi can transfer their conscious awareness into another living being’s body and experience life through that form. While this may seem like an extraordinary or magical feat, it is fundamentally about the mastery over one’s own.

The next part of the Sutra, "प्रचारसंवेदनाच्च," refers to understanding or experiencing the process of how Consciousness moves. This can be seen as the Yogi becoming fully aware of the mechanisms that govern the flow of Consciousness, both within the body and beyond it. This deep knowledge allows the Yogi to perceive Consciousness as something not confined to a single body or mind but as something that can potentially occupy other physical forms. The mind, once it attains this level of mastery, becomes detached from its own limitations and can project or transfer itself into other bodies.

Finally, "चित्तस्य परशरीरावेशः" means the Yogi can enter another’s body. This is the culmination of the siddhi 

described in the Sutra, where the practitioner’s awareness can expand beyond their own physical form and experience life from within another body. This ability comes from complete control over one’s own mind and body and is a state achieved by very advanced practitioners. However, this siddhi is seen not as an end goal but as a byproduct of the deeper yogic journey towards spiritual Realization. It emphasizes the yogic philosophy that Consciousness is universal and not bound to any single body.

Swami Vivekanand said:

"The yogi can enter a dead body, and make it get up and move, even while he himself is working in another body. Or he can enter a living body, and hold that man’s mind and organs in check, and for the time being act through the body of that man. That is done by the yogi coming to this discrimination of Purusha and Nature. If he wants to enter another’s body he makes a samyama on that body and enters it, because, not only is his soul omnipresent, but his mind also, according to the yogi. It is one bit of the universal mind. Now, however, it can only work through the nerve currents in this body, but when the yogi has loosened himself from these nerve currents, he will be able to work through other things."

Comparison with Vedic and Other Texts

Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7

यथा सोम्य मधु मधुकृतो निष्ठिवन्ति नानात्ययानां वृक्षाणां रसान् संवहारमेकतां गच्छति स॥

"Just as different bees collect nectar from various flowers and make one unified honey, so too, the individual soul merges with the supreme Consciousness, losing its individual distinctions."

This verse from the Chandogya Upanishad speaks about the merging of individual Consciousness with the universal Consciousness, paralleling Patanjali’s idea of transcending individual bodily limitations. The key theme here is that the Self is not limited to one form but is part of a greater, interconnected whole. When the Yogi attains mastery over Consciousness, as described in Patanjali’s Sutra, they too experience this unity with all forms of life, allowing them to project Consciousness beyond their body.

Yoga Vashistha 6.3.28

चित्तमेव हि संसारः तस्य स्वरूपं सुशुद्धताम्। ज्ञात्वा यथावत्को वन्ध्येत भृशं ब्रह्मणि निष्ठितः॥

"The mind itself is the cycle of birth and death. Knowing its pure form as Consciousness, who would be bound by it, deeply established in Brahman?"

This verse from the Yoga Vashistha reflects a similar understanding of the mind as the key to Realization. Once the mind recognizes its true essence, it is no longer bound by physical form or the material world. The ability to enter another's body, as mentioned in Patanjali's sutra, arises from the same principle -mastery over the mind and Realization of its Pure Nature, free from the illusion of separation from the universal Consciousness.

Bhagavad Gita 2.22

वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय,

नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि।

तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा,

अन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही॥

"Just as a person discards worn-out clothes and puts on new ones, so the embodied soul casts off its worn-out bodies and enters new ones."

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the soul’s ability to transcend the physical body, likening it to changing clothes. In Patanjali’s context, the ability to enter another's body stems from the same principle that the body is a mere vessel for Consciousness, and the true self is not confined to it. This reflects the yogic belief that through deep practice and detachment, one can gain mastery over the process of incarnation and bodily limitations.

In conclusion, Patanjali’s Sutra resonates deeply with the broader teachings of Vedic and Upanishadic philosophy, where the mastery of Consciousness and transcendence of physical limitations leads to greater spiritual freedom. These teachings collectively point towards the idea that the Self, when freed from ignorance and attachment, is capable of extraordinary expansions of Awareness, such as occupying another's body or merging with universal Consciousness.