The past and future exist in their own form, for characteristics differ only regarding the temporal path.

Patañjali affirms the reality of past and future. They are not mere mental abstractions; they exist svarūpataḥ, in their own nature.

What differentiates past, present, and future is only adhvan, the path or temporal road through which qualities (dharma) manifest. Characteristics always exist; only their state of manifestation changes.

It is like a seed containing the tree in potential: the future tree already exists in the seed, though not yet manifested. The past tree continues existing as left impressions.

This vision of time has profound implications: future karma already exists as potential; the past does not disappear but remains as subconscious record.

For the yogī, this confirms that actions have real consequences transcending the present moment. Nothing is lost; everything remains recorded in the fabric of existence.