We continue seeking a small but powerful snippet of wisdom from the Yoga Sūtras.
Yoga Sūtra 2.18:
prakāśa-kriyā-sthiti-śīlaṁ bhūtendriyātmakaṁ bhogāpavargārthaṁ dṛśyam
English Translation: "The seen is of the nature of illumination, activity, and inertia. It is composed of the elements and the senses, and it exists for the purpose of experience and liberation."
Patañjali reminds us that we are something greater than our thoughts, emotions, experiences—even greater than the guṇas themselves. The guṇas—sattva (clarity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia)—are the building blocks of the material world, constantly shifting and shaping our experiences.
Each of these qualities plays a role in our lives:
-
Prakāśa (illumination) relates to sattva, bringing clarity and wisdom.
-
Kriyā (activity) aligns with rajas, driving action and movement.
-
Sthiti (stability) connects to tamas, providing stillness and grounding.
As Edwin Bryant explains, “Patañjali is describing the ultimate metaphysical ingredients of the Seen.” These forces are always in motion, never static.
The guṇas serve two functions:
-
Bhoga – They create experiences (pleasure, learning, challenges).
-
Apavarga – They lead us toward liberation, inner freedom, and transcendence.
Whether you approach this from a spiritual perspective or not, these ideas offer a practical framework for understanding life.
For instance, if you are feeling restless, anxious, or overwhelmed, that’s rajas in excess—too much action, too much stimulation. If you are feeling stuck, unmotivated, or lethargic, that’s tamas dominating—heaviness and inertia. In this case, a small shift toward rajas (movement, action, motivation) will help break the stagnation.
If we step outside the spiritual lens, we can still use these ideas to navigate life effectively.
-
Bhoga: What do we learn from our pleasurable experiences? Do they deepen our understanding or just keep us distracted?
-
Apavarga: Where do we need to find freedom? Are the choices we’re making leading toward growth or keeping us stuck?
At any moment, we have the opportunity to ask:
“What is this experience, and who am I that is experiencing it?”
Try this as your own personal mental experiment—pay attention to your inner state, observe your energetic tendencies, and become mindful of what your energetic anchors are.
Be curious. Be aware. And most importantly, make these insights your own.