Yoga Sutra 1.25: Tatra Niratisayam Sarvajna Bijam

“In Him lies the seed of all-knowing.”

Yoga Sutra 1.25 is a profound affirmation of the eternal and limitless nature of Isvara — the Supreme Consciousness. Patanjali declares that within Īśvara resides the seed of omniscience (Sarvajna-Bijam), meaning that He is the very source from which all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding arise.

In the previous sutras (1.23 and 1.24), Patanjali described Isvara as untouched by afflictions, karma, and the impressions that bind ordinary beings. Now, he reveals yet another essential truth: Isvara is the origin and reservoir of absolute wisdom — infinite, flawless, and beyond comparison (Niratisayam).

While sages and seekers may attain profound insights, their knowledge remains partial and transient. Īśvara alone possesses knowledge that is boundless and self-existent — not learned, but intrinsic.

For the spiritual aspirant, this sutra offers deep reassurance. By surrendering to Isvara through devotion, meditation, and self-surrender (Isvara-pranidhana), one aligns with this infinite intelligence. In such alignment, the practitioner becomes a channel through which divine wisdom flows effortlessly — transforming ignorance into clarity and separation into unity.

Translation of Yoga Sutra 1.25

Sanskrit:
तत्र निरतिशयं सर्वज्ञबीजम्॥२५॥

Transliteration:
Tatra niratisayam sarvajna-bijam (1.25)

Word Meaning:

• Tatra — In Him (in Isvara)
  

• Niratisayam — Unsurpassed, absolute, incomparable
  

• Sarvajna — Omniscient, all-knowing
  

• Bijam — Seed, source, origin
  

Translation:
In Him (Isvara) lies the unsurpassed seed of omniscience.

Analysis of the Sutra

1. Tatra (In Him)
The term tatra refers back to Isvara, as introduced in the previous sutras. It signifies that the qualities described here are not abstract concepts but are truly embodied in Isvara — the eternal, unchanging consciousness that transcends all limitations.

2. Niratisayam (Unsurpassed, Absolute)
Niratisayam emphasizes that the wisdom of Isvara is beyond comparison. Human knowledge, no matter how vast, is always partial and conditioned by time, perception, and intellect. Even the greatest scientists, philosophers, and seers can only grasp fragments of truth. Isvara’s wisdom, however, is boundless — infinite, unerring, and eternal.

3. Sarvajna (All-Knowing)
In yogic philosophy, sarvajna means more than mere intellectual knowledge. It is the total perception of reality — the direct awareness of all that has been, all that is, and all that will be. Īśvara perceives everything simultaneously, beyond the linear limitations of time and space.

4. Bijam (Seed, Source)
The term bijam reveals that Isvara is the root source of all forms of knowledge and wisdom. Just as a seed contains within it the full potential of a tree, all streams of human understanding originate from this divine source. Every insight, every revelation, and every spark of creativity is but a reflection of that infinite consciousness.

Practical Application for Yogis

This sutra is not merely a philosophical idea — it offers profound guidance for daily yogic practice and inner growth.

1. Faith in Divine Guidance
Through meditation on Isvara, the yogi attunes to the infinite source of wisdom and intelligence. Even when clarity seems distant or confusion arises, surrendering to the higher consciousness allows insights to unfold beyond the limits of the intellect.

2. Humility in Learning
Recognizing Isvara as the seed of omniscience cultivates deep humility. No matter how advanced we become in study or practice, true wisdom lies beyond personal achievement. This awareness keeps the practitioner grounded, open, and receptive to continual growth.

3. Perseverance through Faith
In moments of struggle or uncertainty, the yogi remembers that the path guided by Īśvara is illuminated by ultimate wisdom. Such faith dissolves doubt and nurtures steadfast perseverance — transforming challenges into opportunities for inner evolution.

4. Reflective Contemplation
Contemplating Isvara as Sarvajna-Bijam — the source of all-knowing — shifts the mind from fragmented worldly thoughts to the vastness of divine understanding. This reflection deepens meditation, purifies awareness, and anchors the practitioner in the boundless presence of truth.

How This Sutra Connects to the Previous Ones

Sutra 1.23 introduced Isvara pranidhana va — devotion and surrender to Isvara — as a direct path to samadhi.
Sutra 1.24 described Isvara as untouched by afflictions, karma, and their results.
Now, Sutra 1.25 reveals another essential truth: Isvara is the seed of omniscience.

Together, these three sutras form a complete vision of Īśvara:

• Pure — free from suffering and the bonds of karma
  

• Powerful — a worthy and direct object of concentration
  

• All-knowing — the eternal source of wisdom and knowledge

This progression deepens the yogi’s understanding of why surrendering to Isvara is such a profound and dependable path to liberation (kaivalya).

Omniscience and the Yogi’s Journey

1. Relative vs. Absolute Knowledge
Human beings acquire knowledge through study, observation, and experience — but such knowledge is always limited and fragmentary.

• A physicist may understand the laws of physics, yet not the entire cosmos at once.
  

• A historian may know the past, yet not every event unfolding in the present.
  

• Even a yogi, through deep introspection, perceives truth only within the bounds of individual consciousness.
  

Isvara’s consciousness, however, is undivided and timeless — transcending space, time, and limitation.

2. Wisdom as Light
When the yogi contemplates Isvara, they begin to reflect that boundless awareness within. One does not suddenly become all-knowing, but gradually the mind becomes illuminated — intuitive, perceptive, and guided by flashes of higher wisdom. These moments of deep insight experienced in meditation are glimpses of the sarvajna-bijam — the seed of omniscience.

3. The Seed Analogy
Just as a seed contains the full potential of a mighty tree, sarvajna-bijam symbolizes the divine “DNA” of wisdom within Isvara. All sacred teachings, revelations, and intuitive insights throughout time spring from this single source. When a yogi contemplates the seed itself — Isvara — they align directly with the origin of all truth and knowledge

Applications in Modern Life

Though ancient in expression, the message of this sutra is timeless — offering deep relevance to every seeker today.

For Students and Seekers:
True wisdom does not reside solely in teachers or books but flows from a higher, divine source. Recognizing this awakens both humility and reverence in learning — reminding us that knowledge blossoms fully only when the ego steps aside.

For Professionals:
Inner attunement with Īśvara brings a level of clarity and intuitive insight far beyond intellectual reasoning. When decisions are made from a centered, higher awareness, wisdom naturally guides action with grace and purpose.

For Spiritual Practitioners:
 Meditating on Isvara as the spark of all-knowing transforms spiritual effort from personal striving into divine cooperation. Practice then becomes not an act of willpower, but a graceful participation in cosmic intelligence.

Meditative Contemplation on Sutra 1.25

Here is a simple yet powerful way to internalize this teaching:

1. Sit quietly and let your breath become calm and steady.
   

2. Visualize a radiant light glowing at the center of your heart.
   

3. Softly whisper: Tatra niratisayaṁ sarvajna-bijam.
   

4. Then affirm: “All wisdom arises from this source. May my mind align with it.”
   

5. Rest in silent stillness. Allow thoughts to flow and dissolve naturally into the vastness of awareness.

Through this meditation, the mind gradually learns to reflect the divine brilliance of Isvara — the seed of omniscience within all.

Conclusion

For the yogi, Sutra 1.25 is not mere philosophy — it is a living practice. It calls for humility, reverence, and unwavering faith. This teaching invites the seeker to return to the very source of all perception — to anchor deeply in that divine intelligence and move forward on the path of liberation with steadiness and trust.

When we recognize Isvara as the seed of omniscience, our pursuit of knowledge transforms. No longer do we search restlessly for scattered truths in the external world; instead, we awaken to the infinite wellspring of wisdom that flows from within — the eternal light of consciousness itself.