A Poem: The Three Lamps Of Knowing (YS 1.7)

This contemplative poem is inspired by Yoga Sutra 1.7:

Pratyakṣānumānāgamāḥ pramāṇāni
Direct perception, inference, and reliable testimony are the sources of correct knowledge.

This sutra asks a powerful question:

How do I know what is true?

So often, the mind treats assumptions as facts. A feeling becomes certainty. A memory colours the present. A story becomes reality.

This poem invites you to pause, return to what is directly present, reason with care, and listen to wisdom that leads toward clarity and freedom.

Listen when you feel uncertain, reactive, confused, or caught in painful assumptions.

You are also warmly invited to join the Living the Yoga Sutras group here on Insight Timer, where we continue exploring the sutras in a grounded, practical, and reflective way.

See clearly.
Listen wisely.
Respond from awareness.

Transcript

This poem is inspired by Yoga Sutra 1. 7, Where Patanjali describes the three sources of correct knowledge, Direct perception, Careful inference and reliable wisdom. As you listen, Let this poem invite you to pause before believing every thought and to return to the quiet question. How do I know what is true? Before I call a thought the truth, Before I let the story go, Let me the turn to what is here, To what I truly see and know. A sound is heard. A breath is felt. The body speaks in quiet signs. Beneath the names the mind may give, The present waits with simple lines. Yet mind will often leap ahead, From smoke to fire, From glance to blame. It builds conclusions out of fear then gives its guesses through its own name. So let me pause and softly ask, Is this a fact or fierce disguise? Is this clear seeing, Careful thought, Or old hurt wearing wisdom's eyes? And when my vision is unclear, May I remember I can turn toward words that steady, Guide and heal towards those who help the heart discern. Not every voice deserves my trust. Not every certainty is lied to. True wisdom does not bind with fear. It leads the soul toward what is right. Tree lamps now shine within the mind. What I perceive, What reason sees. And trusted truth that points me back to Clarity, Humility, Peace. Pratyaksha, Anumana, Agama, Three doors through which clear knowing streams. May I see truth before I act and wake from fear's convincing dreams. May this poem stay with you as a quiet reminder to seek clarity before the action. As you return to daily life, May you trust what is directly present. Reason with care. Listen to wisdom that frees you. And gently ask. How do I know what is true? Namaste.