Yoga Sutras form the very basis of Yoga. They gave Yoga its philosophical foundation that the world still observes today. Sutra literally translates as thread and this is actually the thread which runs through the practice of all Yoga, connecting thought to thought, pose to pose, and intent to intent. They tell us what Yoga is all about, and how it came about. Without the Yoga Sutras, there would, most likely, be no Yoga at all.
Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali
Compiled by the Indian sage Patanjali, the Yoga Sutras were first laid down through oral tradition. They consist of 195 pithy aphorisms, for lack of a better word, and are considered one of the 6 darshanas (philosophies) in the school of Hindu philosophy. These Yoga Sutras don’t just provide Yoga with a consistent and thorough philosophical basis; they also clarify several important obscure and mysterious concepts that are common to many Oriental traditions, such as the philosophy of karma.
Over the ages, these Yoga Sutras were passed down by word of mouth from guru (teacher) to shishya (student) for generations. The collection of this once oral tradition came to form the philosophical and theoretical base for all Yoga and is still said to be the most organized and comprehensive treatise of this age old science.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, as they are called are classified into four padas (chapters). The first chapter contains 51 aphorisms and is called Samadhi Pada. In this segment the incumbent is told how and where he or she would achieve a blissful state and be absorbed into “Absolute.”
The second chapter titled Sadhana Pada consists of 55 aphorisms and illustrates Ashtanga Yoga (the Eightfold path) and actual Yoga practices in the form of Kriyas (Yoga of action). Within the practice of Ashtanga Yoga, one would have to follow the Yamas (restraints) and Niyamas (observances). These are moral and ethical codes of conduct consisting of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-theft), brahmacharya (sexual continence), and aparigraha (non-covetousness. The Niyamas (observances) are saucha (purity), santosha (contentment), tapas (austerities), swadhyaya (self study), and Ishvara pranidhana (surrender to the will of God).
The third chapter, referred to as Vibhuti Pada, also consists of 55 aphorisms in which you are given a brief, theoretical glimpse of the higher states of consciousness as well as the Yogic techniques of attaining them.
The fourth and final chapter termed Kaivalya (which would literally translate as Isolation) Pada, has just 34 aphorisms. Within this section is contained a better interpretation of moksha or nirvana (emancipation or liberation). Here you are taught the importance of transcending thought in order to attain a state of absolute freedom.
