The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are an ancient and foundational text of Yoga. In Indian philosophy, Yoga is one of the six orthodox philosophical schools. Although brief, the Yoga Sutras have had an enormous influence on yoga philosophy and practice, remaining relevant even today from the era it was first composed.
Let’s delve into this fascinating work of these sutras.
The Yoga Sutras were compiled by the sage Patanjali in India during the early centuries CE. Patanjali synthesized and organized knowledge about yoga from much older traditions.
There are varying counts of sutras: 195 (according to Vy─Бsa and Krishnamacharya) and 196 (according to others, including BKS Iyengar).
Patanjali’s work is best known for its reference to Ashtanga yoga, the eightfold path of practice culminating in samadhi (absorption or stillness).
· These eight elements are:
1. Yama: Abstinences
2. Niyama: Observances
3. Asana: Yoga postures
4. Pranayama: Breath control
5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana: Concentration of the mind
7. Dhyana: Meditation
8. Samadhi: Ultimate absorption
The main aim of practice is kaivalya, which involves discerning purusha (the witness-consciousness) from prakriti (the cognitive apparatus) and freeing purusha from prakriti’s defilements . The Yoga Sutras build upon Samkhya notions of purusha and prakriti and are often seen as complementary to it.
Historical Context:
· The Yoga Sutras fell into relative obscurity for nearly 700 years (from the 12th to 19th century).
· Their resurgence occurred in the late 19th century due to efforts by Swami Vivekananda, the Theosophical Society, and others.
· Today, the Yoga Sutras are considered foundational in classical Yoga philosophy.
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just curious, exploring the Yoga Sutras can deepen your understanding of the ancient wisdom that continues to shape modern yoga practice.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a collection of Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) that delve into the theory and practice of yoga. Compiled by the sage Patanjali in India, this ancient text synthesises and organizes knowledge about yoga from older traditions. Patanjali's yoga sutras are a comprehensive guide to the philosophy and practice of yoga.
The main aim of practice is kaivalya, which involves discerning purusha (the witness-consciousness) from prakriti (the cognitive apparatus) and freeing purusha from prakriti’s defilements.
The Four Chapters of the Yoga Sutras:
- Samadhi Pada
The Samadhi Pada is the first chapter in the yoga sutras of Patanjali. It discusses the essential nature of yoga and offers a detailed explanation of the practice of yoga.
- Sadhana Pada
The Sadhana Pada is the second of four chapters in the yoga sutras of Patanjali. It discusses the practice of yoga and offers a detailed explanation of the benefits of yoga.
- Vibhuti Pada
The Vibhuti Pada is the third chapter in the yoga sutras of Patanjali. It discusses the powers one can attain through yoga practice and offers a detailed explanation of yoga philosophy, focusing on the last two Limbs of Yoga; The first of which is Dhyana (mindful meditation or contemplation), and The eighth, and final stage of Ashtanga, Samadhi (ecstasy)
- Kaivalya Pada
The Kaivalya Pada is the fourth and final chapter in the yoga sutras of Patanjali. It reflects on what is achieved by one’s mind, thus preparing you for complete and utter liberation (moksha). It’s the last stage of yoga and the grand finale of the sutras.
1. The Samadhi Pada is the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
It serves as the foundation for the practice of yoga and the attainment of a state of meditative absorption known as “samadhi.”
рдЕрде рдпोрдЧाрдиुрд╢ाрд╕рдирдо् ॥ рез.рез॥ рдпोрдЧрд╢्рдЪिрдд्рддрд╡ृрдд्рддिрдиिрд░ोрдзः ॥ рез.реи॥
рддрджा рдж्рд░рд╖्рдЯुः рд╕्рд╡рд░ूрдкेрд╜рд╡рд╕्рдеाрдирдо् ॥ рез.рей॥ рд╡ृрдд्рддिрд╕ाрд░ूрдк्рдпрдоिрддрд░рдд्рд░ ॥ рез.рек॥
рд╡ृрдд्рддрдпः рдкрдЮ्рдЪрддрдп्рдпः рдХ्рд▓िрд╖्рдЯाрд╜рдХ्рд▓िрд╖्рдЯाः ॥ рез.рел॥ рдк्рд░рдоाрдгрд╡िрдкрд░्рдпрдпрд╡िрдХрд▓्рдкрдиिрдж्рд░ाрд╕्рдоृрддрдпः ॥ рез.рем॥
рдк्рд░рдд्рдпрдХ्рд╖ाрдиुрдоाрдиाрдЧрдоाः рдк्рд░рдоाрдгाрдиि ॥ рез.рен॥ рд╡िрдкрд░्рдпрдпो рдоिрде्рдпाрдЬ्рдЮाрдирдорддрдж्рд░ूрдкрдк्рд░рддिрд╖्рдардо् ॥ рез.рео॥
рд╢рдм्рджрдЬ्рдЮाрдиाрдиुрдкाрддी рд╡рд╕्рддुрд╢ूрди्рдпो рд╡िрдХрд▓्рдкः ॥ рез.реп॥ рдЕрднाрд╡рдк्рд░рдд्рдпрдпाрд▓рдо्рдмрдиा рд╡ृрдд्рддिрд░्рдиिрдж्рд░ा ॥ рез.резреж॥
рдЕрдиुрднूрддрд╡िрд╖рдпाрд╕рдо्рдк्рд░рдоोрд╖ः рд╕्рдоृрддिः ॥ рез.резрез॥ рдЕрдн्рдпाрд╕рд╡ैрд░ाрдЧ्рдпाрдн्рдпां рддрди्рдиिрд░ोрдзः ॥ рез.резреи॥
Purpose of Yoga:
Patanjali explains that the purpose of yoga is to quiet the fluctuations of the mind (vrittis) in order to experience the true nature of the self. This is achieved through the practice of “samadhi,” a state of deep concentration and meditation where the individual’s consciousness merges with the object of focus, transcending the sense of separation between the observer and the observed.
Chitta-Vritti-Nirodha: A central concept in this chapter is “chitta-vritti-nirodha,” which refers to the stilling or calming of the mind-stuff (chitta). By achieving this stillness, one can experience higher states of consciousness.
Obstacles and Solutions: Patanjali discusses obstacles that hinder the attainment of samadhi, including desires, attachments, and aversions. He presents a path for overcoming these obstacles through the practice of “abstinences” (yamas) and “observances” (niyamas).
Types of Samadhi:
- Savikalpa Samadhi: A state of concentrated and still mind, where the merger with the object of focus is not yet complete.
- Nirvikalpa Samadhi: The mind is fully absorbed and merged with the object of focus, leading to a complete dissolution of the sense of self.
In summary, the Samadhi Pada establishes fundamental principles of yoga, emphasizing the importance of quieting the mind and attaining self-realization through the practice of samadhi.
Sadhana Pada is the second chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
In this chapter, Patanjali provides practical guidance on techniques and practices to still the mind and achieve meditative absorption. Let’s explore some key points.
Patanjali addresses the five hindrances (kleshas) that hinder yoga practice:
1. Ignorance
2. Egoism
3. Attachment
4. Aversion
5. Fear of death
рдЕрде рд╕ाрдзрдирдкाрджः ।
рддрдкः рд╕्рд╡ाрдз्рдпाрдпेрд╢्рд╡рд░рдк्рд░рдгिрдзाрдиाрдиि рдХ्рд░िрдпाрдпोрдЧः ॥1॥ рд╕рдоाрдзिрднाрд╡рдиाрд░्рдеः рдХ्рд▓ेрд╢рддрдиूрдХрд░рдгाрд░्рдерд╢्рдЪ ॥2॥
рдЕрд╡िрдж्рдпाрд╕्рдоिрддाрд░ाрдЧрдж्рд╡ेрд╖ाрднिрдиिрд╡ेрд╢ाः рдХ्рд▓ेрд╢ाः ॥3॥ рдЕрд╡िрдж्рдпा рдХ्рд╖ेрдд्рд░рдоुрдд्рддрд░ेрд╖ां рдк्рд░рд╕ुрдк्рддрддрдиुрд╡िрдЪ्рдЫिрди्рдиोрджाрд░ाрдгाрдо् ॥4॥
рдЕрдиिрдд्рдпाрд╢ुрдЪिрджुःрдЦाрдиाрдд्рдорд╕ु рдиिрдд्рдпрд╢ुрдЪिрд╕ुрдЦाрдд्рдордЦ्рдпाрддिрд░рд╡िрдж्рдпा ॥5॥ рджृрдЧ्рджрд░्рд╢рдирд╢рдХ्рдд्рдпोрд░ेрдХाрдд्рдорддेрд╡ाрд╕्рдоिрддा ॥6॥
рд╕ुрдЦाрдиुрд╢рдпी рд░ाрдЧः ॥7॥ рджुःрдЦाрдиुрд╢рдпी рдж्рд╡ेрд╖ः ॥8॥
рд╕्рд╡рд░рд╕рд╡ाрд╣ी рд╡िрджुрд╖ो роЙрдкि рддрдеाрд░ूрдвो роЙрднिрдиिрд╡ेрд╢ः ॥9॥ рддे рдк्рд░рддिрдк्рд░рд╕рд╡рд╣ेрдпाः рд╕ूрдХ्рд╖्рдоाः ॥10॥ рдз्рдпाрдирд╣ेрдпाрд╕्рддрдж्рд╡ृрдд्рддрдпः ॥11॥
The Vibhuti Pada is the third chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
In this chapter, Patanjali explores the extraordinary powers known as siddhis, which can be attained through the practice of yoga. However, it’s essential to understand that these powers are not the ultimate goal of yoga; they are incidental outcomes of the practice. Patanjali warns against becoming fixated on siddhis, as they can divert practitioners from the true aim of yoga: self-realization and liberation (also known as “kaivalya”).
The Vibhuti Pada enumerates various siddhis, including the ability to change physical size, become invisible, pass through solid objects, and command the elements.
Importantly, while these powers exist, they are considered secondary or peripheral benefits derived from spiritual discipline. Patanjali emphasizes that practitioners should prioritize the ultimate goal of yoga over the pursuit of peripheral abilities. While these powers are not the ultimate goal of yoga, they are incidental outcomes of the practice1. Let’s explore some of the other sutras from this chapter:
Let’s explore the sutras:
1. Sutra 3.1 (Dh─Бraс╣З─Б—concentration):
Sanskrit: рджेрд╢рдмрди्рдзः рдЪिрдд्рддрд╕्рдп рдзाрд░рдгा॥
- Concentration is focusing the mind on a particular point.
- The mind has reached the ability to be directed when direction towards a chosen object is possible in spite of many other potential objects within the reach of the individual.
- Dh─Бraс╣З─Б is the mind’s (citta’s) fixation on a particular point in space.
- Dh─Бraс╣З─Б is the binding of the mind to one place, object, or idea.
- Concentration is the confining of the mind within a limited mental area (object of concentration).
Veda Vyasa suggests that dh─Бraс╣З─Б consists of holding or fixing the mind on various points in the body or external objects. The chosen object of concentration can be a seen object, a concept, or an idea, but it must be free of excessive attachment, repulsion, or fear. In posture-based yoga, a first step toward concentration is observation of the body and breath, which is accessible to any yoga student.
2. Sutra 3.2 (Samyama—integration):
Sanskrit: рдд्рд░рдпрдоेрдХрдд्рд░ рд╕ंрдпрдоः॥
- The three together constitute integration.
- The simultaneous practice of concentration, meditation, and profound absorption is called samyama.
- Samyama is the combined practice of concentration, meditation, and absorption.
- Samyama is the integration of concentration, meditation, and absorption.
- The three together constitute samyama.
Samyama is a powerful technique that allows the yogi to explore the deeper layers of consciousness and gain insight into the nature of reality.
3. Sutra 3.3 (Taj-jay─Бt praj├▒─Бlokaс╕е):
Sanskrit: рддрдЬ्рдЬрдпाрдд्рдк्рд░рдЬ्рдЮाрд▓ोрдХः॥
- From mastery over that comes knowledge of higher realms.
- By mastering samyama, one gains knowledge of higher realms.
- Through mastery of samyama, one attains knowledge of higher planes.
- By mastering samyama, one gains insight into higher states of consciousness.
- From mastery over samyama comes knowledge of higher realms.
This sutra suggests that by practicing samyama, the yogi gains access to higher dimensions of existence.
4. Sutra 3.4 (Trayam antar-aс╣Еgam purvebhyaс╕е):
Sanskrit: рдд्рд░рдпрдорди्рддрд░рдЩ्рдЧं рдкूрд░्рд╡ेрдн्рдпः॥
- These three are internal limbs compared to the previous ones.
- These three are inner practices compared to the preceding ones.
- These three are inner aspects in contrast to the earlier practices.
- These three are internal practices compared to the previous ones.
- These three are inner practices in relation to the preceding ones.
Patanjali emphasizes that samyama is an inner practice that goes beyond external actions.
The Kaivalya Pada is the fourth chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
This forms the foundation of classical yoga philosophy. Let’s delve into its essence:
- Objective of Liberation: The Kaivalya Pada emphasizes that the ultimate goal of yoga is liberation or “kaivalya.” In this state, one’s consciousness becomes completely free from the entanglements of the ego and illusions of the mind1.
- Detachment (Vairagya): A crucial concept explored in this chapter is “vairagya,” which translates to “detachment.” It involves relinquishing attachment to material possessions and ego-driven pleasures, shifting focus toward the spiritual realm.
- Overcoming Fear of Death (Abhinivesa): The Kaivalya Pada asserts that yoga aims to overcome the fear of death and embrace life’s impermanence as part of the journey toward liberation.
Beyond individual liberation, yogis should strive to share the wisdom and benefits of yoga with others, becoming catalysts for liberation in their fellow beings.
In summary, the Kaivalya Pada illuminates the pursuit of liberation as the ultimate goal of yoga, where genuine tranquillity and profound happiness reside.
The term “Kaivalya” translates to “solitude” or “detachment” in Sanskrit. In this context, it refers to the isolation of purusha (the individual soul) from prakс╣Ыti (the material world). The Kaivalya Pada explores the path to liberation from rebirth and freedom from suffering.
Here are some key sutras from the Kaivalya Pada:
Janmauс╣гadhimantratapassam─Бdhij─Бс╕е siddhayaс╕е рдЬрди्рдоौрд╖рдзिрдоंрдд्рд░рддрдкрд╕рдоाрдзिрдЬाः рд╕िрдж्рдзрдпः (1.1):
- The attainment of spiritual powers (siddhis) arises from birth, herbs, mantras, austerities, or meditative absorption.
J─Бtyantarapariс╣З─Бmaс╕е prakс╣Ыty─Бp┼лr─Бt рдЬाрдд्рдпрди्рддрд░рдкрд░िрдгाрдоः рдк्рд░рдХृрдд्рдпाрдкूрд░ाрдд् (1.2):
- The transformation of one’s nature occurs due to the influence of time and the inherent tendencies (prakс╣Ыti).
Nimittamapray┼Нjakaс╣Г prakс╣Ыt─лn─Бс╣Гvaraс╣Зabh─Уdastu tataс╕е kс╣г─Уtrikavat рдиिрдоिрдд्рддрдордк्рд░рдпोрдЬрдХं рдк्рд░рдХृрддिрдиाрд╡рд░рдгрднेрджрджрд╕्рддु рддрдд: рдХ्рд╖ेрдд्рд░िрдХाрд╡рдд् (1.3):
- The cause of the manifestation of different forms (nimitta) is the distinction between the coverings of prakс╣Ыti, similar to a farmer’s field.
Nirm─Бс╣Зachitt─Бnyasmit─Бm─Бtr─Бt рдиिрд░्рдоाрдгрдЪिрдд्рддрди्рдпाрд╕्рдоिрддाрдоाрдд्рд░ाрдд् (1.4):
- The mind (chitta) is formed by the mere reflection of the sense of “I-ness” (asmit─Б).
Pravс╣Ыttibh─Уd─У pray┼Нjakaс╣Г chittam─Уkaman─Уk─Ус╣г─Бm рдк्рд░рд╡ृрдд्рддिрднेрджे рдк्рд░рдпोрдЧрдХं рдЪिрдд्рддрдоेрдХрдордиेрдХेрд╢рдо् (1.5):
- The various modifications of the mind (chitta vс╣Ыttis) serve as the impetus for different actions.
Tatra dhy─Бnajaman─Б┼Ыayam рддрдд्рд░ рдз्рдпाрдирдЬрдордирд╢рдпрдо् (1.6):
- The seed of meditation (dhy─Бna) is born from these mental modifications.
Karm─Б┼Ыukl─Бkс╣Ыс╣гс╣Зaс╣Г y┼Нginaс╕е trividhamitar─Ус╣г─Бm рдХрд░्рдорд╢ुрдХ्рд▓рдХृрд╖्рдгं рдпोрдЧिрдиः рдд्рд░िрд╡िрдзрдоिрдд्рд░ेрд╢рдо् (1.7):
- For yogis, actions are of three types: white (pure), black (impure), and mixed.
Tatastadvip─Бk─Бnuguс╣З─Бn─Бm─Уv─Бbhivyaktirv─Бsan─Бn─Бm рддрддрд╕्рддрдж्рд╡िрдкाрдХाрдиुрдЧुрдгाрдгाрдоेрд╡рднिрд╡्рдпрдХ्рддिрд░्рд╡ाрд╕рдирдо् (1.8):
- The fruition of actions and latent impressions (v─Бsan─Бs) manifests according to their inherent qualities.
J─Бti d─У┼Ыa k─Бla vyavahit─Бn─Бmapy─Бnantaryaс╣Г smс╣Ыtisaс╣Гsk─Бray┼Нс╕е ─Уkar┼лpatv─Бt рдЬाрддि рджेрд╢ рдХाрд▓ рд╡्рдпрд╡рд╣िрддाрдиाрдордк्рдпрдирди्рддрд░्рдпं рд╕्рдоृрддिрд╕ंрд╕्рдХाрд░рдпोः рдЗрдХाрд░рд░ूрдкрдд्рд╡рдд् (1.9):
- Due to the uninterrupted flow of memories and impressions, the mind perceives objects as continuous, even when separated by birth, place, or time.
T─Бs─Бman─Бditvaс╣Г ch─Б┼Ыiс╣г┼Н nityatv─Бt рддрд╕्рдоाрдирджिрдд्рд╡ं рдЪाрд╢िрд╢ो рдиिрдд्рдпрдд्рд╡рдд् (1.10):
- The mind’s continuity is eternal, beginningless, and unchanging.
рдпोрдЧेрди рдЪिрдд्рддрд╕्рдп рдкрджेрди рд╡ाрдЪां । рдорд▓ं рд╢рд░ीрд░рд╕्рдп рдЪ рд╡ैрдж्рдпрдХेрди ॥ рдпोрд╜рдкाрдХрд░ोрдд्рддрдоं рдк्рд░рд╡рд░ं рдоुрдиीрдиां । рдкрддрдЮ्рдЬрд▓िं рдк्рд░ाрдЮ्рдЬрд▓िрд░ाрдирддोрд╜рд╕्рдоि ॥ рдЖрдмाрд╣ु рдкुрд░ुрд╖ाрдХाрд░ं рд╢рдЩ्рдЦ рдЪрдХ्рд░ाрд╕ि рдзाрд░िрдгрдо् рд╕рд╣рд╕्рд░ рд╢िрд░рд╕ं рд╢्рд╡ेрддं рдк्рд░рдгрдоाрдоि рдкрддрдЮ्рдЬрд▓िрдо्॥ рдЕрдирди्рддाрдп рдиाрдЧрд░ाрдЬाрдп рдирдоो рдирдоः ।|