Samadhi Pada • sutra 20
| श्रद्धावीर्यस्मृति समाधिप्रज्ञापूर्वक इतरेषाम् ॥१.२०॥ śraddhā-vīrya-smṛti samādhi-prajñā-pūrvaka itareṣām ॥1.20॥ |
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| For the others (that is, those who do not belong to the yogis described in sutra 1.19) is preceded (asaṁprajñātaḥ samādhi) by faith in the path of yoga (śraddhā), determination in following it (vīrya), constant awareness of the journey (smṛti), discernment (prajñā), and meditative absorption (samādhi). |
| Commentary In this sutra, Patanjali provides a map for spiritual progress, outlining the five essential elements for all those who are not the videha yogis or prakṛtilayāna yogis mentioned in the previous sutra. 1. Faith (śraddhā) is the starting point: believing in the practice and the process allows one to sustain commitment even during difficult times. 2. Energy (vīrya) is the force that propels us forward—the discipline and determination to practice regularly. The translation that resonates most deeply with me comes from my studies of Tibetan Buddhism, where vīrya is considered one of the six perfections (pāramitā) to be cultivated on the path to enlightenment. In this context, it is rendered as “joyous effort“, an expression that captures the joy that accompanies steadfastness on the path. 3. Memory (smṛti) is not merely the recollection of texts or teachings but also the constant awareness of what truly matters along the journey. Again, we can find a parallel in the Buddhist tradition: smṛti is often associated with the discriminative awareness of what is virtuous and what is not. Keeping this mindfulness alive means recognising what should be cultivated (virtues such as generosity, patience, compassion, wisdom…) and what should be abandoned (non-virtues such as attachment, ignorance, anger, jealousy…). 4. Samādhi in this context is not the ultimate result of practice but rather the deep concentration that develops through consistent practice. 5. Finally, Prajñā is the wisdom that arises from discernment based on direct experience of reality. These elements are not rigid, separate steps but interconnected components that nourish one another. If faith is lacking, so is the energy to continue. If memory is absent, one gets lost in the chaos of habits and distractions. Without samādhi, the mind remains restless. And without prajñā, there is no deep understanding that leads to transformation.  Daily Mindfulness BitesToday, take a moment to reflect on your trust in the path you are following. Trust is not just the belief that something will happen, but the deep certainty that the journey itself—with all its obstacles and moments of doubt—is the right one for you. Whenever you face a challenge, whether in the physical practice of asanas or in other aspects of life, and whenever you feel uncertainty or fatigue during the day, pause and ask yourself: “Can I trust the path I am on, even without seeing immediate results?“ Reflection: At the end of the day, reflect on your faith in your journey. “Was I able to maintain trust even in difficult moments? Did I recognize the beauty of the path, regardless of the outcome?“ Trust is not something to be acquired—it is something that grows and strengthens with daily practice. The spiritual journey is made of small steps. Every step confirms inner progress, even when it doesn’t seem to bring immediate results. If you want to go to India, your journey begins the moment you step outside your front door. At that moment, it may not feel like a great leap, yet it is an essential step toward your destination. If you encounter a difficulty or obstacle, instead of rushing to find a solution, try sitting in silence for a few moments. Allow your trust in the path to support your mind and heart. |
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