श्रद्धावीर्यस्मृतिसमाधिप्रज्ञापूर्वक इतरेषाम् ॥२०॥
पदविभाग: (separating individual words): श्रद्धा-वीर्य-स्मृति-समाधि-प्रज्ञा-पूर्वकः, इतरेषाम्।
अन्वय: (Rearranging in logical prose sequence): इतरेषाम् श्रद्धावीर्यस्मृतिसमाधिप्रज्ञापूर्वकः।
प्रतिपदार्थ: (word-by-word meaning): श्रद्धा = faith / unwavering conviction, वीर्य = vigor / indomitable energy, स्मृति = memory / continuous mindfulness, समाधि = deep absorption / perfect concentration, प्रज्ञा = absolute wisdom / discriminating insight, पूर्वकः = preceded by (or sequentially generated by), इतरेषाम् = for the others (the genuine yogis)
तात्पर्यम्: (final translation): For the others (the true yogis), the ultimate state comes through surrender to the supreme, vigorous energy, continuous remembrance, deep absorption, and wisdom.
Further context on the 20th Sutra from Patanjali’s Yogasutras
For the rest, meaning those who have not yet transcended the physical body, Patanjali outlines five essential qualities to actively cultivate on the path to liberation.
The first of these is श्रद्धा (Shraddha). While this is often loosely translated as “faith”, the word is composed of Śrat (श्रत्), meaning truth, and Dhā (धा), meaning to hold. Etymologically, it literally means to take hold of the truth. That which is true is what always remains, everything else is transient and hence this unwavering conviction towards truth as it is.
Next is वीर्य (Virya), which refers to the state of being a hero or a warrior. The force of our own ignorant mind is tremendous, and it constantly pulls us back into old habits. A practitioner needs to show true valor and unyielding energetic courage in order to rise above it.
Following this is स्मृति (Smriti). In the context of this verse, it refers to retentive power. It is the conscious ability to continuously recollect the spiritual teachings we have received and keep our awareness firmly fixed on the goal without getting distracted.
This unbroken memory allows us to pull everything together through समाधि (Samadhi). At this stage, the meditator, the act of meditating, and the object of meditation completely fuse together into one continuous flow of perfect stillness.
Finally, this deep absorption awakens प्रज्ञा (Prajna). Having gained this profound, luminous knowledge of the self, the yogi is finally prepared to enter the ultimate state of Asamprajnata Samadhi.
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