Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.51

Sanskrit Sutra

बाह्याभ्यन्तरविषयाक्षेपी चतुर्थः॥५१॥

Swami Vivekananda's translation

The fourth is restraining the Prana by reflecting on external or internal object.

Vyasa Bhashya (Sanskrit)

बाह्याभ्यन्तरविषयाक्षेपी चतुर्थः ॥ ५१ ॥

देशकालसंख्याभिर्बाह्यविषयपरिदृष्ट आक्षिप्तः। तथाऽऽभ्यन्तरविषयपरिदृष्ट आक्षिप्तः। उभयथा दीर्घसूक्ष्मः। तत्पूर्वको भूमिजयात्क्रमेणोभयोर्गत्यभावश्चतुर्थः प्राणायामः। तृतीयस्तु विषयानालोचितो गत्यभावः सकृदारब्ध एव देशकालसंख्याभिः परिदृष्टो दीर्घसूक्ष्मः। चतुर्थस्तु श्वासप्रश्वासयोर्विषयावधारणात्क्रमेण भूमिजयादुभयाक्षेपपूर्वको गत्यभावश्चतुर्थः प्राणायाम इत्ययं विशेष इति ॥ ५१ ॥

Vyasa Bhashya (English Translation)

The one regulated by place, time, and number regarding the external sphere is transcended. Similarly, the one regulated regarding the internal sphere is transcended. Both ways, it becomes prolonged and subtle. Following those (the earlier stages), through gradual mastery of the stages (bhumi-jaya), the cessation of motion of both (inhalation and exhalation) is the fourth Pranayama.

The third, however, is a cessation of motion without consideration of any sphere (without focusing on stages of inhalation or exhalation), commenced all at once (by a single effort); it is regulated by place, time, and number, and becomes prolonged and subtle.

The fourth, on the other hand, is preceded by the transcendence of both (external and internal) through the determination of the spheres of inhalation and exhalation, and through the gradual mastery of the stages; this cessation of motion is the fourth Pranayama. This is the distinction between them. || 51 ||

The Four Types of Pranayama according to Patanjali and Vyasa

Vyasa clarifies the deeply technical progression of breath control, culminating in a spontaneous state of breath suspension.

Pranayama Type	Sanskrit Name	Description	Key Characteristic
First (External)	बाह्यवृत्ति (Bahya-vritti)	Cessation of breath after exhalation.	Preceded by exhalation (Rechaka).
Second (Internal)	आभ्यन्तरवृत्ति (Abhyantara-vritti)	Cessation of breath after inhalation.	Preceded by inhalation (Puraka).
Third (Suspended)	स्तम्भवृत्ति (Stambha-vritti)	Spontaneous suspension of breath, without considering inhalation or exhalation stages.	Occurs through a “single effort” all at once, likened to water instantly vaporizing on a hot stone.
Fourth (Transcendent)	बाह्याभ्यन्तरविषयाक्षेपी (Bahyabhyantara-vishayakshepi)	The cessation of breath that transcends the external and internal spheres entirely.	Arises naturally through gradual mastery (bhumi-jaya) of the previous stages of measured breathing, thereby transcending them both.

Chapter link: Yoga Sutra Chapter 2