Patanjali Yoga Sutra Chapter 3 – Vibhuti pada

1. First, the ability to narrow the area of brain activity is Dharana (concentration).
2. Next, keeping the narrow activity in monotonous tone is Dhyana (meditation).
3. Finally, when word goes beyond meaning and merges into nothing, that is Samadhi (Liberation).
4. These 3 together are called Samyam or binding (the technical term for the above 3 fold process of dhyana + dharana + Samadhi).
5. Mastery gives one luminescent awareness.
6. But, this should be practiced in stages.
7. These three are more internal as compared with the previous limbs.
8. However, these are still external to the seedless state (nirbeeja Samadhi).
9. When negative inclination of mental activity is prevented by keeping it on the right course and cleansing it regularly, control is the outcome
10. Then, serenity flows into the impressions created by mental activity.
11. As a result of single point focus, rising-depleting mental activity merge.
12. Serenity (confidence in ability) increases with the experience of reinforcement of single pointed focus.
13. In this state, the senses metamorphose and these are reflected in the changed attributes of one’s dharma (conditioning).
14. Consequently, the serenity which arises has no direction and depends on the maturity of conditioning in the practitioner.
15. The sequence with which change occurs is dependent on individual distinctiveness.
16. Altogether, the change induced by samyama (dhyana + dharana + samadhi) gives one insight into the past and future.
17. Meaning of the word, its reflection, context and differentiation, samyama gives one insight into all forms of communication.
18. With training in the practice, previous lineage comes in direct cognisance to the insight.
19. Also, one is able to get direct perception of other’s thoughts.
20. But, not the underlying nature, because that is not the intent.
21. In samyama, the perception form of any object to be attained becomes steady, and if required can be made invisible.
22. Thus, the internal sounds also cease.
23. There are 2 types of karma, that which will fructify immediately and that which will fructify later. With samyama, one gets insight into one’s separation from the body.
24. Friendliness gives strength.
25. This strength is like the strength of an elephant.
26. Source of inner light can be directed to get insight into hidden and remote subtle entities
27. Samyama on the Sun gives insight into the physical world.
28. Insight into the moon and stars arrangement.
29. Insight into the polestar (Dhruva) and its movement.
30. Samyama into the nabhi chakra (manipura) results in insight into the constitution of the body.
31. Also, samyama on the laryngeal cavity (base of the throat) results in cessation of hunger and thirst.
32. Next, samyama on the koorma-nadi (about 3 cm below the collar bone, just above the sternum) leads to steadiness.
33. Samyama on the radiance at the top of the head leads to visibility of liberated masters.
34. However, a pure person can get all this without samyama
35. Samyama on the heart gives insight of mental activity/ intelligence.
36. The balanced person who is very detached, whose attitude is even-handed towards pleasure or material goods, samyama on self-desires results in insight into manhood.
37. This results in intuitive hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell.
38. These are not a hindrance for those that have attained samadhi, but for those still materially oriented.
39. Also, when the cause of bonds is relinquished, it is possible to enter other bodies with knowledge of the nerve channels (nadis).
40. By gaining control over the udana-vayu (the vayu above the chest), one can sever contact with water, mud, swamp, thorn and so on and control over dying.
41. Next, by controlling the samana-vayu (the digestive vayu), fire is controlled.
42. Samyama on the equality of relationship between hearing and space gives divine hearing.
43. Next, samyama on the equality of relationship between the body and space gives the body lightness of cotton to move in space.
44. Samyama on external dispositions which are large and bodyless, thence the light destroys the veil covering the knowledge.
45. By samyama on the gross, the own form and the subtle meaning of existence, one gets control over present awareness.
46. When the ability to reduce in size (animan) is manifested to perfection, the ability to conform to conditioning faces no resistance.
47. Form, grace and charm, strength and adamantine like hardness are acquired by the perfect body.
48. Samyama on the function and connection between the attachment of Self to the body results in control over sentience.
49. Thence, there is quickness of understanding and mastery over disturbing situations.
50. The difference between a balanced person and others is that he has mastery over all feelings and insight into the Self.
51. That non-attachment (vairagyam) destroys even the seed of impurity and results in liberation.
52. He should avoid being enamoured by invitations from high positions for undesirable results come from such contacts.
53. Whether in a moment or after successive efforts in meditation, discrimination (vivekam) is gained from it.
54. There is knowledge of lineage, quality of character, region (desau-anyata), lack of distinguishing features between any 2 entities.
55. Liberation from all topics simultaneously and completely comes from knowledge born out of discrimination (vivekam).
56. The harmonious person achieves liberation due to cleanliness and treating all entities equally.