Or through surrender to Īśvara.

With the particle vā (or, alternatively), Patañjali introduces a devotional path to samādhi. Īśvara-praṇidhāna means complete surrender, total devotion to the Lord.

This sutra marks a significant turn. Until now, the focus has been on personal effort (abhyāsa and vairāgya). Here an alternative is offered: surrender.

Īśvara in Patañjali’s Yoga is not a creator god but a special Puruṣa (sutra 1.24). Surrender to Īśvara works because it dissolves the ego — the main obstacle — and because Īśvara, as supreme consciousness, can guide the devotee toward liberation.