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YOGA SUTRAS OF
PATANJALI
December 23, 2022

Yoga
The yoga sutras of Pantajali are a set of 196 aphorisms that guide yoga
practice. They are one of the most important texts in yoga and offer a
comprehensive view of the philosophy and practice of yoga. Patanjali
compiled the classic sutras around 200 CE for an in-depth look at the nature
of mind, consciousness, and liberation. The timeless teachings work as
practical advice rooted in the yoga tradition.

WHO WAS PATANJALI?

Patanjali was a yoga master, and while there is not much known about him, he
was presumably of Indian origin and lived between the second and fourth
century BC. He is a pupil of yoga master yoga Vasishtha. Patanjali is best
known for compiling the yoga sutras, a set of 196 aphorisms that guide yoga
practice.

The yoga sutras offer a comprehensive and fundamental view of the

philosophy and practice of yoga. They discuss the true nature of mind,
consciousness, and liberation and provide an in-depth look at the path to
enlightenment and physical, mental, and emotional harmony.
Patanjali's yoga sutras are still considered an authoritative text on yoga
today and provide insight for yoga practitioners worldwide.

YOGA BHASHYA
The Yoga Bhashya is a commentary on the yoga sutras of Patanjali, written by
yoga master Vyasa. The Yogabhashya was written around 600 CE and is one
of the most critical commentaries on the yoga sutras. It offers a detailed
explanation of the yoga sutras and discusses their implications for yoga
practice.

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.

Patanjali's yoga sutras are a comprehensive guide to the philosophy and

practice of yoga. They offer a detailed explanation of yoga and how it can help
one achieve liberation.

ASHTANGA YOGA AND

THE EIGHT LIMBS
The eight limbs of yoga are ethical guidelines that help individuals live a
meaningful and purposeful life. They are the means of achieving
discriminative discernment. Wisdom obtained through the eight limbs guides
practitioners on the spiritual journey in their nature. Ashtanga yoga is a type of
yoga that follows the eight limbs of yoga. By following a journey through the
eight limbs, people often attain inner consciousness and the disappearance of
obstacles.

This journey will often include self-realization to allow the practitioner to be

grounded in their daily life. People often experience wholeness and lose the
desire for physical contact, reflecting supreme self-control over the sense
organs. The eight limbs are:

YAMAS OR RESTRAINT
Restraints, or universal moral commandments (such as non-violence,
truthfulness, non-stealing, etc.)

NIYAMAS OR OBSERVANCES
Personal observances, such as cleanliness, contentment, and self-discipline.

ASANA OR PHYSICAL POSTURES

Physical yoga help improve your strength, flexibility, and balance.

PRANAYAMA OR BREATH
CONTROL
Pranayama originates from the Sanskrit language, meaning "extension of the
prana or breath," teaching breath control.

PRATYAHARA OR WITHDRAWAL
OF THE SENSES
Pratyahara is withdrawing the senses from external stimuli through
meditation, breathing exercises, and visualizations.

 
DHARANA OR CONCENTRATION
Dharana is the practice of concentration, often focusing on an external object
and only the object, such as a candle flame.

DHYANA OR MEDITATION
Usually translated as “meditation,” it can also hold the meaning of
“contemplation” or “reflection.”

SAMADHI OR MEDITATIVE
ABSORPTION
The highest state of concentration and pure consciousness pursued by yoga
practitioners. A further distinction is Dharma Megha Samadhi, or the final
state of concentration, known as the “cloud of virtue.”

INTEGRAL YOGA
Integral yoga, developed by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother (Miri Alfassa),
includes all eight of these limbs in its practice and combines various Yoga
methods, including Hatha Yoga (classical yoga), selfless service, meditation,
prayer, and 5,000-year-old philosophy that helps one find the peace and joy
within.

The eight limbs of yoga provide a comprehensive framework for a meaningful

and purposeful life. By following these guidelines, practitioners can improve
their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Sri Gurudev founded and is the
guiding light for Integral Yoga International. Integral Yoga, as taught by Sri
Gurudev. Integral Yoga Teaching Centers throughout the United States and
abroad offer classes and training programs in all aspects of Integral Yoga.

RAJA YOGA
In Sanskrit texts, Rāja yoga, was both the goal of yoga and a method to attain
it. Raja yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on the mind. It offers a
comprehensive guide to the self-control of the mind and is an essential text
for understanding yoga. Seekers treading the spiritual path refer to the book,
“The Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali Satchidananda, Patañjali,” for their studies.
 

KRIYA YOGA
Kriya yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on purifying the body and mind. It is
one of the most popular types of yoga. It is one of the most vital types of
yoga, as it offers a comprehensive guide to purifying the body and mind.

SRI SWAMI
SATCHIDANANDA

“The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali”, is a valuable book written by Sri Swami

Satchidananda, one of the most respected and revered contemporary yoga
masters. These yogic teachings outline the practice of Raja Yoga and
meditation in the classic context.

The novel includes advice from Sri Swamiji, who often said that if the five
senses are allowed free reign, they will never allow the mind to rest.
Pratyahara practice helps control the senses and redirect the attention
inward.

While Pantanjali’s copy presents the sutras in the purest form and original
Sanskrit, Satchidananda’s translates well in the modern day. The novel is a
complete manual for true self-knowledge, absolute freedom, and religious
harmony.

ANAHANA YOGA
RESOURCES
 

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Yoga For Teens

Yoga Poses

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 Anjaneyasana

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Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

YOGA BLOGS
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Kundalini Awakening

REFERENCES
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6: Sankhya-yoga. Vedabase.io. 12 December 1972.

Edwin Bryant (2011, Rutgers University), The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali IEP ^
Bryant 2009, p. 10.

The Secret of the Yoga Sutra by Tigunait Ph.D., Pandit Rajmani, / Himalayan
Institute Press The Secret of the Yoga Sutra: Samadhi Pada

Yoga Sutras 101: Everything You Need to Know 

Learn About the Yoga Sutras

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy   

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