Chapter-1 Sutras 1 & 2

Patanjali Yogasutra 1.1 and 1.2 

अथ योगानुशासनम्॥१॥

Now, the teaching of Yoga.

This Sutra marks the beginning of the text and indicates the readiness of the student to receive the instruction of Yoga. It also implies that Yoga is an experiential and practical discipline, not a mere theory or speculation.

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः॥२॥

Yoga is the restraint of the mental activities.

This Sutra defines Yoga as the state of stillness and clarity of the mind, free from the fluctuations and modifications caused by sensory impressions, emotions, thoughts, and memories. It also suggests that Yoga is a process of controlling and transcending the mind, not a passive or mechanical state.

The first Sutra introduces the subject and the purpose of the text, which is to impart the knowledge and the practice of Yoga to the sincere seeker. The word "atha" implies that the student has already acquired the necessary qualifications, such as discrimination, detachment, and devotion, to embark on the path of Yoga. It also suggests that the teaching of Yoga is not a new invention, but a continuation of an ancient tradition that has been handed down by the sages and the masters.

The second Sutra gives the essence and the goal of Yoga, which is to attain the State of Pure Consciousness, beyond the limitations and the disturbances of the mind. The word "citta" refers to the mind-stuff, the inner instrument that consists of the intellect, the ego, and the memory. The word "vṛtti" means the modifications, the movements, or the waves of the mind-stuff, which are constantly changing and agitating the mind. The word "nirodha" means the cessation, the restraint, or the mastery of these modifications, which leads to the state of peace and inner stillness.

The implication of these verses is that Yoga is not merely a physical exercise or a relaxation technique, but a profound and holistic science of Self-Realization. It requires a systematic and disciplined approach, involving ethical conduct, moral values, mental concentration, meditative absorption, and intuitive insight. It also reveals the True Nature of the Self, which is not the body, the mind, or the ego, but the Pure Awareness that is eternal, unchanging, and blissful.

Similar verses from Vedic texts are:

- Yogavashishta, Chapter 6, Part 2, Verse 1

योगः समाधिः॥१॥

Yoga is samadhi.

This verse equates Yoga with samadhi, which is the highest state of Consciousness, where the individual Self merges with the Universal Self, and all duality and diversity disappear. It also suggests that Yoga is not a means to an end, but an end in itself, the Ultimate Goal of human life.

- Bhagavad Gita

यदा पञ्चावतिष्ठन्ते ज्ञानानि मनसा सह ।

बुद्धिश्च न विचेष्टते तामाहुः परमां गतिम् ॥१८॥

When the five senses and the mind are still, and the intellect wavers not, that, they say, is the Highest State.

This verse describes the state of Yoga as the state of complete detachment and equanimity, where the senses, the mind, and the intellect are subdued and controlled, and the Self is established in its own essence. It also indicates that Yoga is the Supreme State of Realization of the Divine Essence. 

Introduction to Patanjali Yogasutra

The Patanjali Yogasutra is a classical text of yoga that consists of four chapters and 196 verses. It demystifies the ancient Indian Yogic techniques. Yoga means Union - of the soul with the supersoul. The modern interpretation of Yoga is reduced to Asanas, also known as Hathayoga, which is just one of the steps of the eight fold way prescribed by Patanjali to achieve the Divine union with God. The four chapters of this treatise are:

- Samadhi Pada

This chapter deals with the concept and practice of concentration, or samadhi, which is the ultimate goal of yoga. Some verses from this chapter are:

    - अथ योगानुशासनम्॥१॥

    - Now, the teachings of yoga.

    - योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः॥२॥    

    - Yoga is the science of stilling the mind. 

    - तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम्॥३॥    

    - Then the seer abides in its own Nature. 

- Sadhana Pada

This chapter explains the means or methods of attaining samadhi, such as the eight limbs of yoga, or ashtanga yoga. Some verses from this chapter are:

    - तपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोगः॥१ ॥  

    - Austerity, self-study, and surrender to the Lord constitute the yoga of action. 

    - यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणा ध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२९॥    

    - The eight limbs of yoga are: abstentions, observances, posture, breath control, withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and absorption. 

    - अहिंसासत्यास्तेयब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहाः यमाः॥३०॥    

    - The abstentions are: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness. 

- Vibhuti Pada

This chapter describes the supernatural powers, or siddhis, that can be acquired by the yogi who has mastered samadhi. Some verses from this chapter are:

    - देशबन्धश्चित्तस्य धारणा॥१॥   

    - Concentration is the binding of the mind to one place. 

    - तत्र प्रत्ययैकतानता ध्यानम्॥२॥    

    - Meditation is the uninterrupted flow of the same thought.

    - तदेवार्थमात्रनिर्भासं स्वरूपशून्यमिव समाधिः॥३॥    

    - Absorption is when the object alone shines, as if the form of the seer is absent. 

- Kaivalya Pada

This chapter discusses the state of Realization, or kaivalya, which is the ultimate aim of yoga. Some verses from this chapter are:

    - जातिलक्षणदेशैरन्यताऽनवच्छेदात् तुल्ययोस्ततः प्रतिपत्तिः॥४॥    

    - The attainment of equality between the seer and the seen is due to the absence of differentiation based on species, characteristics, and location. 

    - तारकं सर्वविषयं सर्वथाविषयमक्रमं चेति विवेकजं ज्ञानम्॥२८॥    

    - The knowledge that arises from discrimination is liberating, omniscient, omnipotent, and beyond all stages. 

    - कैवल्यं स्वरूपप्रतिष्ठा वा चितिशक्तिरिति॥३४॥   

    - Realization is the establishment of the power of Consciousness in its own Nature, following the cessation of activities of the mind.