Sūtra 3.45

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 3.45:

ततोऽणिमादिप्रादुर्भावः कायसम्पत्तद्धर्मानभिघातश्च ॥ ३.४५ ॥

tato'ṇimādiprādurbhāvaḥ kāyasampattaddharmānabhighātaśca || 3.45 ||

45. Therefrom proceed attenuation, &c., as also excellence of body and the indestructibility of its qualities.

The Rajamartanda commentary by King Bhoja:

[English translation of the 11th century commentary by Bhoja called the Rājamārtaṇḍa]

[Sanskrit text for commentary available]

(1) “Attenuation” (aṇimā) the attainment of the form of atoms (molecularity).

(2) “Levity” (laghimā) attainment of lightness like that of a floss of cotton.

(3) “Ponderosity” (garimā) attainment of great weight.

(4) “Illimitability,” (mahimā) attainment of greatness, or the power of touching the moon or the like with the tip of one's finger.

(5) “Irresistible will” (prākāmya) non-frustration of desires.

(6) “Supremacy” (īśitva) highest authority over the body and the internal organ.

(7) “Subjection" (vaśitva) prevailing everywhere, i.e., the elements being subservient to him do not disobey his behests.

(8) “Fulfilment of desires," (kāmāvaśāyitva) accomplishing one’s desire everywhere, i.e., in whatever object a desire is formed, the Yogī becomes accomplished in that, or brings it to fruition by attaining it.

These, attenuations, &c., as accessories to meditation, become pevalent in Yogīs on their conquering the elements. Thus by attaining molecularity he can enter into (the substance of) a diamond. The other cases should be explained in the same way. These eight qualities, attenuation, &c., are called great perfections, (mahāsiddhis). “Excellence of body” (kāyasampat), which will be presently described, is also obtained. “The indestructibility of its qualities,” means that the shape and the other qualities of that body are not liable to destruction by any means. Neither does fire burn its shape, nor wind dry it up, and so on.

Notes and Extracts

[Notes and comparative extracts from other commentaries on the Yogasūtra]

[The exact nature of the advantages to be derived from Saṃyama with reference to the elements, not having been described in the next preceding aphorism, the author supplies the omission in this aphorism. The advantages are the eight Siddhis or perfections an account of which has already been given on page 121. They include many of the perfections described in separate aphorisms. I fail to perceive any marked distinction between the 5th and the 8th. The explanation of the 8th given on p. 121 is Tāntric.]

He next explains what excellence of the body is—