Chapter-2, Sutra 29

Patanjali Yogasutra 2.29

(Ashtanga Yoga)

यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि || 2.29 ||

"The eight limbs of yoga are Yama (moral restraints), Niyama (observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption)."

This Sutra from Patanjali's Yogasutra introduces the foundational concept of "Ashtanga Yoga" or the eightfold path of yoga, which is the core of Patanjali's yoga philosophy. 

These eight limbs are not merely sequential steps but interdependent practices that together lead to the Ultimate Goal of yoga, which is Self-Realization or Kaivalya.

The first two limbs, Yama and Niyama, lay the ethical foundation for a yogic lifestyle. Yama consists of moral disciplines like non-violence 

(Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), and non-stealing (Asteya), which help to purify the practitioner's interactions with the external world. Niyama focuses on internal discipline and includes practices like purity (Saucha), contentment (Santosha), and self-study (Svadhyaya), fostering inner growth and clarity. Together, these two limbs create a strong ethical and moral base, essential for progressing further in yoga.

The next three limbs, Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara, deal with the practitioner's physical and subtle bodies. Asana, the practice of physical postures, prepares the body for extended periods of meditation by developing strength, flexibility, and balance. Pranayama, the regulation of breath, harnesses the life force (Prana) and balances the energies within the body, facilitating mental clarity and calmness. Pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses, marks the transition from external to internal focus, where the practitioner learns to detach the mind from sensory distractions, thus laying the groundwork for deeper concentration.

The final three limbs, Dharana Dhyana, and Samadhi, are progressively deeper stages of meditation. Dharana is the practice of focused concentration, where the mind is trained to stay fixed on a single point or object. Dhyana, or meditation, is the uninterrupted flow of concentration, where the mind becomes absorbed in the object of focus. Samadhi, the culmination of the eightfold path, is the state of deep absorption, where the distinction between the meditator, the act of meditation, and the object of meditation dissolves, leading to a profound state of Unity and Oneness. 

Comparative Context from Other Vedic Texts

Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.4

स पराञ्चः कामान् यतयः शमाग्निषु धीराः  

प्रज्वाल्य नैनं पापं कृतान्तेषु धत्ते ||

  

"The wise ones who strive for self-control, with the fire of restraint burning brightly within them, do not succumb to external desires, nor do they engage in sinful actions."

This verse from the Mundaka Upanishad resonates with the principles of Yama and Niyama. It highlights the importance of self-restraint and control over desires as a pathway to spiritual progress, aligning with Patanjali’s emphasis on ethical discipline.

Bhagavad Gita 6.13

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः |

सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ||

   

"Holding the body, head, and neck erect and still, gazing steadily at the tip of the nose, without looking around in any direction."

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita is directly related to the practice of Asana and Dharana. It emphasizes the importance of posture and concentration in meditation, which are critical elements of the eightfold path as outlined by Patanjali.

Yoga Vashishta 6.1.15

मन एव मनुष्याणां कारणं बन्धमोक्षयोः |

बन्धाय विषयासक्तं मुक्त्यै निर्विषयं स्मृतम् ||

   

"The mind alone is the cause of both bondage and liberation. When attached to sense objects, it leads to bondage; when detached from them, it leads to liberation."

This verse from the Yoga Vashishta mirrors the concept of Pratyahara in Patanjali's system. It emphasizes the role of the mind in either binding the soul to the material world or leading it toward liberation through the withdrawal of the senses from external objects.