Sūtra 2.51

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 2.51:

बाह्याभ्यन्तरविषयाक्षेपी चतुर्थः ॥ २.५१ ॥

bāhyābhyantaraviṣayākṣepī caturthaḥ || 2.51 ||

bāhya—the external. ābhyantara—the internal, viṣaya—region, spheres, ākṣepī—passing over, going beyond. caturthaḥ—the fourth.

51. The fourth is that which follows when the spheres of the external and internal have-been-passed—102.

The Sankhya-pravachana commentary of Vyasa

[English translation of the 7th century commentary by Vyāsa called the Sāṅkhya-pravacana, Vyāsabhāṣya or Yogabhāṣya]

[Sanskrit text for commentary available]

The sphere of the external, having been mastered by the measurements of time, space and number, is left behind. Similarly is the sphere of the internal thus measured, left behind. In the case of both, it becomes long and subtle. The cessation of the movements of both, in sequence of the attainment of that state, by gradual mastery over the different states, is the fourth. In the third the sphere is not considered; the cessation of motion takes place with one single effort, and is then measured by space, time and number; and thus becomes long and subtle. In the fourth, however, the spheres of inspiration and expiration are ascertained, the different states are mastered by and by, and it follows the perfection of both. Thus comes about the cessation of the movements of both. This is the fourth Prāṇāyāma and is thus distinguished.—102.

The Gloss of Vachaspati Mishra

[English translation of the 9th century Tattvavaiśāradī by Vācaspatimiśra]

Thus three descriptions of Prāṇāyāma have been described. Now he describes the fourth’ The fourth is that, &c’ Explains:—‘The sphere of the external, &c.’

‘Left behind’:—dethroned from its position, which has been mastered by practice. That also is protracted and subtle.

‘In sequence of’:—The external and internal Prāṇāyāmas preceded by a calculation of time, space and number. And this fourth one is not brought about all at once, by a single effort like the third one.

On the other hand it reaches different states of perfection, as it is being practised; and as one state has been mastered it goes on to the higher stage in succession, and it is thus acquired. This is said:—‘By gradual mastery over the different states.’

The question is that the cessation of the motion of both the Prāṇāyāmas takes place in the third Prāṇāyama also, which is described as the total restraint; what then is the distinction between the third and the fourth. For this reason he says:—‘In the third, &c.’ The third is brought about by a single effort and is not preceded by the thought of measurements. The fourth, however, is preceded by the knowledge of the measurements, and is brought about by much effort: This is the difference. The meaning is that the spheres of the Puraka and the Recaka are not considered, but this is measured by time, space and number.—51.