Yoga means union, and sutra thread, and each thread leads to wisdom. The Yoga Sutras is a text consisting of 196 aphorisms that outline the system of yoga as it was understood and practiced by the ancient yogis. The author, Patanjali, is believed to have lived in India sometime between 200 BCE and 200 CE.
The text is divided into four chapters or books, and covers a range of topics related to yoga, including its definition, the nature of the mind, the obstacles to yoga, the eight limbs of yoga, and the attainment of samadhi or enlightenment.
The Yoga Sutras is a comprehensive guide to the practice of yoga and the attainment of enlightenment. It provides a framework for understanding the nature of the mind, the obstacles to spiritual growth, and the practices that can lead to a state of inner peace and liberation.
Padas of The Yoga Sutras
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is divided into four chapters or sections, known as padas:
This chapter contains the foundational principles of yoga and discusses the nature of the mind, the different types of thoughts and how to control them, and the path to achieving samadhi (a state of meditative consciousness).
The first chapter provides an introduction to the nature of yoga and the various forms of mental activity, or vrittis, that can disturb the mind. Patanjali outlines the key components of yoga practice, including discipline, study, and devotion.
This chapter outlines the practices and disciplines needed to achieve a state of yoga. It discusses the eight limbs of yoga, including yamas and niyamas (moral and ethical guidelines), asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation.
The second chapter discusses the eight limbs of yoga, which include yama (ethical principles), niyama (self-discipline), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (enlightenment). Patanjali describes each of these limbs in detail, outlining their purpose and offering guidance on how to practice them.
This chapter discusses the various siddhis (powers) that can arise from a dedicated yoga practice, as well as the potential pitfalls and obstacles that can arise along the way. The third chapter describes the various siddhis, or powers, that can be attained through the practice of yoga. These include the ability to levitate, to read minds, and to become invisible. Patanjali also warns that these powers can be a distraction from the ultimate goal of yoga, which is enlightenment.
The final chapter discusses the ultimate goal of yoga, which is liberation or enlightenment. It discusses the nature of the self, the role of karma (actions) and samsara (cycle of birth and death), and the process of achieving kaivalya (freedom from the cycles of suffering). The fourth and final chapter describes the nature of samadhi, or enlightenment. Patanjali outlines the various stages of samadhi, including savitarka samadhi (meditation with mental activity), nirvitarka samadhi (meditation without mental activity), savichara samadhi (meditation with analysis), and nirvichara samadhi (meditation without analysis). He also describes the various obstacles that can arise on the path to enlightenment, such as attachment, aversion, and ignorance.
Each chapter is divided into smaller sections known as sutras, which are short, pithy statements that encapsulate the teachings of the Yoga Sutras.
To learn more, read each chapter and comment on how this reflects on your practice!
Comments