top of page
Patanjali-Yoga-Sutra-1-1149885738.jpg

The Patanjali Yoga Sutra

 

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali  is a collection of Sanskrit sutra on the theory and practice of Yoga. The Yoga Sutra was compiled in the early centuries CE by the Indian sage Patanjali who synthesized and organized knowledge about Yoga from much older traditions.

​

In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes Yoga as “the cessation of movements in the conscious mind,” suggesting that Yoga is about calming your mind and achieving inner peace.

​

In the Yoga Sutra is best known for its reference to Ashtanga. Patanjali summarized his teachings into the Eight Limbs of Yoga, which serve as guidelines to reach the mastery of Yoga, eight elements of practice culminating in Samadhi.

​​​

​

1. Yama (Restraints), consisting of:

  • Ahimsa (Non-Aggression)

  • Satya (Truthfulness)

  • Asteya (Non-Stealing)

  • Brahmacharya (Sensory Control)

  • Aparigraha (Non-Attachment)

​

2. Niyama (Observances), consisting of:

  • Saucha (Purification)

  • Santosha (Contentment)

  • Tapas (Right Effort)

  • Svadhyaya (Introspection)

  • Isvara Pranidhana (Devotion)

​

3. Asana - A physical posture in which one can be steady and comfortable.

4. Pranayama (Control of the Prana)

5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal Of The Senses)

6. Dharana (One-Pointed Concentration)

7. Dhyana (Contemplative Meditation)

8. Samadhi (Spiritual Absorption)

​

​​

The main aim of practice is Kaivalya, discernment of Purusha (the witness-consciousness) as distinct from Prakriti (the cognitive apparatus) and disentanglement of Purusha from Prakriti's muddled defilements.

​

Patanjali divided his Yoga Sutra into four chapters or books (Sanskrit Pada), containing in all 196 aphorisms, divided as follows:

 

​

Samadhi Pada (51 sutra)

​

Samadhi is a state of Pramana (direct and reliable perception ) where Purusha (pure consciousness, the Self) abides in itself. Samadhi is the main technique the Yogi learns by which to calm the workings of the mind, whereafter Kaivalya, the isolation of Purusha from the impurities of the mind, is attained. The author describes Yoga and then the nature and the means of attaining Samadhi.

​

This chapter contains the famous definitional verse (YS 1.2): "Yogas citta-vritti-nirodha" ("Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of mind"). When the mind is stilled, the Purusha is revealed: 1.3. Then the Purusha is established in his own essential and fundamental nature. 1.4. In other states there is assimilation (of the Purusha) with the modifications (of the mind).

​

YS 1.33–39 mentions seven practices to still the mind, the seventh being meditative absorption (YS 1.39), which is further explained in YS 1.40–51 and YS 3.1–12.

 

​

Sadhana Pada (55 sutra)

​

Sadhana is the Sanskrit for "practice" or "discipline," aiming at discriminative discernment, to discern the Purusha (pure consciousness) from its objects and the hindrances.

​​

​

Vibhuti Pada (56 sutra)

​

Vibhuti is the Sanskrit word for "power" or "manifestation". In chapter 3, the last three limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, known as  Samyama, are outlined:

6. Dharana (One-Pointed Concentration)

7. Dhyana (Contemplative Meditation)

8. Samadhi (Spiritual Absorption)

 

Besides insight into Purusha (pure awareness), Samyama gives 'supra-normal powers' (Sanskrit: Siddhi), as the Yogi gains access to and unites with the Tattva, the constituents of Prakriti.The text warns (III.38) that these powers can become an obstacle to the Yogi who seeks liberation.

 

​

Kaivalya Pada (34 sutra)

​

Kaivalya is the isolation of Purusha from the contents of the mind so it is no longer disturbed by the movements of the mind. It stands for emancipation or liberation, and is used where other texts often employ the term Moksha (liberation). The Kaivalya Pada describes the process of liberation and the reality.

​

​

​

*Link to Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (Full Translation)

​

bottom of page