Triṣu caturthaṁ tailavadāsecyam त्रिषु चतुर्थं तैलवदासेच्यम्॥ (sūtra III.20)

triṣu – in all the three states of consciousness – active state, dream state and deep sleep state; caturthaṁ - the fourth state of consciousness; taila – oil; vat – like; āsecyam – pouring into.

The fourth state of consciousness should be expanded into the three lower level of consciousness without interruption. By using tailavadāsecyam, it is meant that the expansion of the fourth state into the three lower states should be continuous, like oil being poured into a vessel. When oil is transferred from one vessel to another, it can be observed that the flow will be continuous.

This aphorism attains significance after having discussed about the consequences of having intermittent connectivity with the highest level of consciousness in the previous two aphorisms. The fourth state is turya, which is full of suddhavidyā (pure knowledge) leading to the purest form of consciousness. By empowering the lower levels of consciousness with the higher level of consciousness, the lower levels of consciousness lose their individual identities and become part of turya. In other words, the higher level consciousness continues to prevail over the lower levels of consciousness by making them incapacitated. This subtle internal transformation makes the aspirant to always exist in the state of bliss, derived out of suddhavidyā. The fourth state of consciousness, turya, does not undergo changes as is the case with the previous three states.

This sūtra says that the aspirant should continue to stay in the state of turya even when he carries on to exist in other three states. Generally, turya state is attained only in the deeper states of meditation. If turya is reached only in meditative states, it implies that the aspirant is not continuously connected with the highest level of consciousness. If one’s awareness is withdrawn from the higher levels of consciousness even momentarily, sensory influences pull him down further.