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.
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