yogasutra 1.6 - ashtangamarga.com

Samadhi Pada • sutra 6

प्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयः ॥१.६॥ pramāṇa-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrā-smṛtayaḥ ॥1.6॥
The fluctuations of the mind are right knowledge, wrong knowledge, imagination, deep sleep and memory.

Word by Word Translation

प्रमाण (pramāṇa) – right knowledge, valid knowledge, valid cognition, real cognition, correct perception.
विपर्यय (viparyaya) – wrong knowledge, erroneous knowledge, illusion, perceptual distortion, erroneous cognition.
विकल्प (vikalpa) – imagination, concept, erroneous thought, mental construct, fantasy, hallucination, conceptualization.
निद्रा (nidrā) – deep sleep, state of unconsciousness.
स्मृतयः (smṛtayaḥ) – memory, recollection, the process of remembering or keeping past experiences present. Nominative plural of smṛti (स्मृति).

Commentary
In this sutra, Patañjali enumerates the five primary activities of the mind that shape our perception of the world and ourselves. These mental fluctuations (see insights on sutra 1.2) encompass all the ways in which the mind processes, interprets, and responds to both the perceived and imagined world:

Pramana represents the response to stimuli that lead to reliable and verifiable knowledge. In other words, Pramāṇa is the perception of reality as it truly exists.

Viparyaya is a distorted or erroneous response, leading to a false understanding, where reality is perceived differently from how it truly exists.

Vikalpa refers to autonomous mental constructs (imagination), not triggered by concrete stimuli but by internal associations. In this case, the perception of reality is based on something that does not exist, something we have entirely fabricated—a kind of hallucination.

…This is a bit like believing in something without any valid reason… the classic statement: “Of course, that’s how it’s done! It’s been done this way for 30 years!” If you pause for a moment to reflect, you’ll realise it isn’t actually based on any solid reasoning. Just because something has been repeated over time doesn’t automatically make it correct…

Nidra refers to a state that excludes external stimuli and sensory perception. The mind remains active but lacks objects of awareness, similar to deep sleep where consciousness is not directed outward.

…kind of like when you sleep through the alarm in the morning 😉…

Smrti is the mind’s response that brings up past content, influencing the current experience. The feelings we have towards what we encounter are inevitably shaped by our previous experiences with that same object.

Each of these activities represents an aspect of daily mental life that can either hinder inner peace or, when observed with attention, offer an opportunity for growth. Recognizing whether the fluctuations are painful (kliṣṭa) or not painful (akliṣṭa) allows the practitioner to choose what supports their inner balance and let go of what causes disturbance (see sutra 1.5).

Knowing these five mental fluctuations means recognizing the ways in which the mind reacts to stimuli, whether internal or external. Patañjali invites us to observe every movement of the mind without judgment, distinguishing what is based on reality (pramāṇa) from what is illusory (viparyaya), imagined (vikalpa), associated with the past (smṛti), or simply an interruption of awareness (nidrā).

Daily Mindfulness Bites
Today, take a moment to observe which mental fluctuation arises in your mind throughout the day, following the classification in sutra 1.6. In particular, pause to reflect on how memories (smṛti) influence your mood. Ask yourself: “Is this thought a memory? An illusion? An expectation based solely on my desire? Is it nourishing me or confusing me?“

If you enjoy writing, you can keep a small Mental Fluctuations Journal, briefly noting the moments when you recognize mental fluctuations. It could be a notebook or an app on your phone, depending on what’s more convenient for you. Record the moments when you perceive “kliṣṭa” (disturbing) and “akliṣṭa” (non-disturbing) thoughts, and reflect on how these have influenced your emotions and actions. This exercise will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and cultivate greater mental awareness, facilitating the path toward a calmer, more centered mind.

Insights Behind the Words – Did You Know…?

The Mind as a Kaleidoscope: Patanjali describes mental fluctuations through five categories, revealing how the mind is in constant motion, much like a kaleidoscope. Every thought, emotion, or impression is like a piece of colored glass that, reflecting and refracting the light of consciousness, creates complex and ever-changing patterns. This relentless dynamism makes it difficult to perceive reality as it truly is.

Patanjali invites us to cultivate abhyāsa (disciplined practice) and svādhyāya (self-observation and inner study) to slow down this mental dance. Just as a kaleidoscope requires stillness to reveal a stable image, the mind too finds clarity only when it is disciplined. In that quiet, the light of awareness illuminates our true nature, beyond the projections and mental distortions.

The Modifications of the Mind as Evolutionary Stages: The modifications of the mind (vṛtti) can be interpreted not only as obstacles but also as evolutionary steps on the path to awareness. An intriguing parallel can be found in Tibetan Buddhist classification of the mind, which distinguishes seven types of cognition:
• Direct Valid Cognition
• Inferential Valid Cognition
• Subsequent Cognition
• Correctly Assumed Consciousness (Supposition)
• Direct Perception that Lacks Discrimination
• Doubtful Consciousness (Indecisive Hesitation)
• Distorted Cognition (Erroneous Consciousness)

This perspective can be viewed as a path of spiritual and cognitive growth. Starting from distorted cognition (viparyaya), which represents a mistaken perception of reality, one moves towards doubtful consciousness, which creates space to question erroneous beliefs. Through practice and meditation, one can develop a clearer perception, initially lacking discernment, which progresses into a correct supposition and, ultimately, valid inferential cognition. This path culminates in valid direct cognition, which represents the state of enlightenment or self-realization.

Connections to Modern Psychology: Many of the concepts described in Sutra 1.6 find parallels with modern psychology. In psychology, memory (smṛti) is seen as the foundation of our identity, yet the sutra invites us not to identify with our memories, but rather to recognize them as mental fluctuations. Imagination (vikalpa), not based on reality, is often linked to phenomena such as anticipatory anxiety, highlighting the importance of controlling these fluctuations. Moreover, neuropsychology acknowledges the crucial role of sleep (nidrā) in emotional regulation, while in the sutra, it is considered a mental fluctuation that clouds awareness. These aspects align with cognitive biases studied in cognitive psychology, such as memory distortions and false beliefs, which influence our perception of reality. Patanjali describes the mind as a battleground where illusions and perceptual errors must be overcome in order to achieve stable and pure awareness.

The connection between mental fluctuations and the discoveries of modern psychology highlights an extraordinary convergence: both aim to understand and transform the mental processes that distort reality, paving the way for a more authentic vision of oneself and the world.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

Samadhi Pada • sutra 6

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