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Sutra 3.5 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,

translated and with commentary by Vasyl Vernyhora


   3.5. After mastering (jayāt; "victory", "mastery") this (tad, that is, samyama) comes the light (āloka) of supramundane wisdom (prajñā).

   In the commentary to the previous sutra, an explanation has already been given as to why the word "this" (tad) can refer to samadhi and not to samyama.

   After mastering dharana, dhyana and samadhi, that is, the attainment of 3-hour shamatha, four rupa-dhyanas (that is, arhatship) and five arupa-ayatanas (that is, the attainment of buddhahood), through the use of samyama, supra-mundane wisdom is acquired, which, as follows from sutra 1.49 (“Prajna-wisdom, achieved in the highest states of consciousness, differs from that which is achieved through assumptions and proofs related to the particular”), is attainable only and exclusively thanks to the supra-mental super-cognitive tools of superconsciousness, developed through long-term correct practice of samadhi/shamatha.

   The Sanskrit word "jaya"—"victory" or "mastery"—is given in sutra 3.5 in the ablative case—jayāt. This case is somewhat similar to the instrumental case, and words in this case answer the questions "from where?", "from whom?", "from what?", "why?"

   In Sanskrit, the word "aloka" (āloka) means "light", "radiance", or "splendor". It also denotes concepts such as "vision" and "sight", and can metaphorically mean "knowledge", "clarity", or "enlightenment". Thus, the radiant/luminous essence of superconsciousness, which illuminates the soul's perception upon reaching this level of consciousness, is emphasized here.

   In this sutra of the Yoga Sutras, prajñā corresponds to Buddhist rigpa, although the latter's interpretation is ambiguous given the different interpretations of rigpa in different schools of Buddhism and even among different teachers of the same Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. In any case, both prajñā and rigpa are supramundane wisdom, attained on the supramental level of superconsciousness. Prajñā is also explicitly mentioned as supramundane wisdom in sutras 1.48, 1.49, and 2.27. The word "prajñā" is also mentioned in sutra 1.20, but its meaning there can vary depending on the interpretation, and this sutra will be discussed later.

   Summarizing the content of this sutra, we can offer the following expanded interpretation: with developed superconsciousness, that is, developed vijnanamaya-kosha/buddhi and anandamaya-kosha/sambhogakaya, supra-mundane wisdom-prajna is acquired. Clairvoyance is the same natural ability of these supra-mental structures of superconsciousness, as is the ability of the mind-manas (manomaya-kosha) to think. As a result of acquiring transcendental wisdom, a genuine awareness of the essence of all creation occurs, which is possible only at the level of superconsciousness. This awareness naturally leads to the dissolution and leveling of hidden tendencies-samskaras from the past (and this is directly stated in sutra 1.50). In turn, this cannot but mean the return of past karma to its true sources (to the First Cause of Being and to those who still perceive themselves as "doers") as a result of genuine disidentification with the illusions and delusions previously imposed upon oneself (due to ignorance). All this requires the genuine attainment of superconsciousness/holiness.

   Sutras 3.3 and 3.5 repeat the ideas of sutras 1.43 and 1.48-49, respectively. This may indicate that some of these sutras were added later by copyist-"co-author".

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