3.49 · The Knower of All

Only for one who sees the difference between mind and self is there sovereignty over all states and knowledge of all.

Word by word

sattva-puruṣa

the mind and the self

anyatā

difference

khyāti

seeing, discernment

mātrasya

of one who has only

sarva-bhāva

all states, all beings

adhiṣṭhātṛtvam

sovereignty, presiding over

sarva-jñātṛtvam

knowing all

ca

and

Where it fits

The summit of power. For one grounded only in seeing the difference between mind and self, the discernment of 2.26, comes sovereignty over all states and knowledge of all. Vyāsa names this the sorrowless perfection (p. 283), recalling 1.36. 3.50 asks for letting go even of this.

Reading

The greatest power rests on one thing only: seeing the difference between mind and self, the discernment of 2.26. For the one grounded in it, Patañjali says, there is sovereignty over all states and knowledge of all. Vyāsa names this perfection 'the sorrowless', viśokā, the word met in 1.36. The weight of the sūtra lies in 'only': nothing more is needed. The next sūtra asks for the hardest step, letting go of even this.

Vyāsa

“This is the power called 'the sorrowless' (viśokā). Reaching it, the yogi, knowing everything, with his afflictions and bonds worn away, lives freely in mastery.”

Vyāsa's Yoga-bhāṣya, the oldest commentary. New translation from the Sanskrit, with reference to Woods (1914), p. 283.

Practice

When a strong feeling arises today, say inwardly, 'This is happening in the mind, and I am aware of it.' Rest in that difference for three breaths. Notice whether the feeling loses some of its hold.

A question to sit with

What changes when you see the mind as something you watch?

Key ideas

viveka (discernment), siddhi (powers), puruṣa (the seer, the self)