Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3

02 Jun Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3

Tada drashtuh svaroope avasthanam is a Sanskrit phrase that means “the seer is established in his own form.” It is a key concept in the Yoga tradition, and it refers to the state of samadhi, or union with the divine. In samadhi, the mind is completely still and silent, and the seer (the individual soul) is able to experience its own true nature, which is pure consciousness.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a foundational text of the Yoga tradition, explain that samadhi is achieved through the practice of asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control), and pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). As the practitioner progresses in their practice, the mind becomes increasingly still and focused, and the seer is able to experience its own true nature.

Tada drashtuh svaroope avasthanam is a reminder that the true nature of the individual is not limited to the physical body or the mind. It is pure consciousness, which is eternal, unchanging, and blissful. When the mind is still and silent, the seer is able to experience this truth directly.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the phrase:

• Tada means “then” or “when.”
• Drashtuh means “the seer” or “the witness.”
• Svarupe means “in its own form” or “in its own nature.”
• Avasthanam means “to be established” or “to abide.”

So, tada drashtuh svaroope avasthanam literally means “the seer is established in its own form.” This can be interpreted in two ways:

1. The seer (the individual soul) is established in its own true nature, which is pure consciousness.
2. The seer (the individual soul) is established in the divine, which is also pure consciousness.

In either case, tada drashtuh svaroope avasthanam is a reminder that the true nature of the individual is not limited to the physical body or the mind. It is pure consciousness, which is eternal, unchanging, and blissful.