Avastha Parinama is a simple but important idea in Yoga philosophy. It explains how things change from one condition to another. The word “Avastha” means “state or condition,” and “Parinama” means “change.” Together, Avastha Parinama means “change in condition.”
This type of change is temporary. It happens when something moves from one condition to the next, like cold water becoming warm, or a calm mind becoming stressed. These changes are not permanent; they shift again later.
Patanjali shared this concept in the Yoga Sutras to show how our body, mind, and emotions constantly switch between different states. By understanding Avastha Parinama, we learn to observe these changes calmly instead of reacting too quickly. It helps us stay aware, balanced, and patient.
What Is Avastha Parinama?
Avastha Parinama is the change that happens in the current condition of something. It does not refer to long-term change. Instead, it describes how something feels or behaves right now and how it shifts to the next state.
For example, when water is heated, it becomes warm. When heated more, it becomes hot. These changes are Avastha Parinama. They are temporary and depend on the situation.
In humans, our thoughts and emotions also shift often. A person may feel tired in the morning, active in the afternoon, and sleepy at night. These quick changes show Avastha Parinama happening inside us.
Why Is Avastha Parinama Important?
Avastha Parinama helps us understand our mind and body better. It teaches us that:
1. Conditions Always Change
No feeling or mood lasts forever. Whether good or bad, every state shifts eventually.
2. Temporary States Are Normal
Feeling stressed or calm, tired or active, excited or sad—these are all natural temporary states.
3. Awareness Helps Control Reactions
When we understand that our emotions are changing conditions, we react less and stay more balanced.
4. Yoga Works Through These Small State Changes
Every breath, every movement, and every thought leads to small shifts in our condition.
Simple Examples of Avastha Parinama
Here are easy, everyday examples to understand this concept clearly:
1. Feeling Hungry to Feeling Full
When you have not eaten, you feel hungry. After eating, the state changes to feeling full. This is Avastha Parinama.
2. Cold Water Turning Warm
When you heat cold water, it slowly becomes warm and then hot. This is a change in condition.
3. A Calm Mind Becoming Distracted
If someone is studying and hears loud noise, their calm mind can become disturbed.
4. A Cloudy Day Turning Sunny
Weather changes quickly. Clouds can move away, and sunshine can appear.
5. A Tired Body Becoming Energetic
After resting or sleeping, a tired body becomes active again.
Each of these changes is temporary, not permanent.
Avastha Parinama in the Human Body
The body constantly goes through temporary changes. For example:
Breathing State
- Slow breathing
- Fast breathing
- Deep breathing
These are all changing conditions based on activity.
Temperature Changes
- Cold hands in winter
- Warm body after exercise
- Sweating in summer
These shifts show Avastha Parinama.
Energy Levels
- Fresh in the morning
- Low energy after hard work
- Recharged after a break
The body never stays the same throughout the day.
Avastha Parinama and the Mind
Our mind changes even faster than the body. Patanjali says the mind moves from one state to another very quickly.
Examples:
- Thinking clearly → feeling confused
- Being calm → getting angry
- Feeling bored → becoming excited
- Being focused → getting distracted
These quick shifts are normal. Avastha Parinama teaches us not to panic when our emotions change. They are temporary and will shift again.
How Yoga Helps with Avastha Parinama
Yoga practices help us manage these changing conditions in a healthy way.
1. Deep Breathing
Deep breathing changes the state of the mind from stressed to relaxed.
2. Yoga Poses
Yoga poses change the condition of the body from stiff to flexible, and from tired to active.
3. Meditation
Meditation slowly changes the mental state from restless to peaceful.
4. Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps us notice when our emotional state shifts, without losing control.
By practicing yoga, we learn to guide these temporary changes instead of being controlled by them.
Avastha Parinama in Patanjali’s Three Types of Change
Patanjali described three important types of change:
- Dharma Parinama – Change in the inner nature
- Lakshana Parinama – Change over time
- Avastha Parinama – Change in temporary condition
Avastha Parinama is the quickest and most visible type because it happens constantly throughout the day.
Avastha Parinama and Emotions
Emotions are one of the clearest examples of this concept. A person’s emotional condition changes quickly:
- Happiness
- Sadness
- Anger
- Fear
- Surprise
- Calmness
These emotions rise and fall based on what is happening around us. When we understand this, we stop feeling stuck in one emotional state.
Example:
If a person feels sad, Avastha Parinama reminds them the sadness will pass.
If someone feels angry, the anger will also shift.
Nothing stays forever.
Avastha Parinama and Personal Growth
This concept can help us grow better in daily life.
1. We Stop Overreacting
When we know feelings are temporary, we respond calmly instead of reacting harshly.
2. We Become More Patient
We wait for the emotional or physical condition to change instead of forcing it.
3. We Handle Stress Better
Stress is a temporary condition. It will pass naturally.
4. We Accept Imperfection
Bad days, mistakes, and failures are just temporary states.
5. We Make Better Decisions
We do not make decisions during emotional highs or lows because we know emotions shift.
Avastha Parinama in Daily Life Routine
Here are simple ways this concept appears in your daily schedule:
- You wake up sleepy → become active
- You get hungry → eat → feel full
- You feel bored → start an activity → feel engaged
- You get tired → rest → regain energy
- You feel stressed → breathe → calm down
Life is a chain of changing conditions.
How to Apply Avastha Parinama in Your Life
1. Stay Calm in Every Situation
Know that your feelings will shift soon.
2. Practice Deep Breathing
It quickly changes your mental condition to peace.
3. Take Breaks When Needed
If you feel tired or stuck, a small break can change your state.
4. Observe Your Emotions
Try to watch your feelings instead of reacting to them.
5. Accept Change
Understand that no condition lasts forever—not good, not bad.
Conclusion
Avastha Parinama teaches us that life is full of temporary changes. Our body, mind, emotions, and surroundings shift from one condition to another throughout the day. These changes help us understand ourselves better and live with more balance. When we accept that every state is temporary, we become calmer, wiser, and more patient.
This concept reminds us that nothing is permanent—not stress, not sadness, and not problems. With awareness and practice, we can move through these temporary conditions with strength and clarity. Avastha Parinama helps us live in harmony with the natural flow of life.
Sources:
www.wisdomlib.org. (2020, July 24). Avastha-Parinama [Encyclopaedia of Hinduism].
Yogapedia. (2023, December 21). Parinama. Yogapedia.
