A very brief introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
If you wish to practice authentic Yoga, and derive the full benefits thereof, an understanding of the Yoga Sutras is indispensible.
History
The Yoga Sutras are widely acknowledged to be the core text of modern Yoga.
This wonderful work, central to all Yoga, is known as Classical, or Raja/Royal, Yoga.
All present-day Yoga practice has its roots in the Yoga Sutras/Raja Yoga (although this may not always be apparent).
Scholars differ on many details of the origin of the sutras but we can be reasonably sure about some aspects, although specifics can be sometimes fuzzy.
Laid down, in Sanskrit, by a seer/rishi called Patanjali (or possibly a group of seers) around 2-2,500 years ago it was the first time the knowledge of Yoga was written down, having always been taught orally, via chanting, prior to this.
A student would have had to learn the chants, by heart, before he (there was no Yoga for women back then) was accepted to be taught any actual techniques.
The text
The text defines Yoga, what it is, what it is intended to achieve, how to approach practice, what will happen when practised.
Consisting of 196 short, poetic verses/phrases (sutra means 'thread') dense with wisdom, the text weaves together immense, ancient knowledge and experience to give us a map to guide us on our journey through life and in our spiritual practice.
The text is divided into four chapters.
Each chapter addresses a specific aspect of the Yoga/spiritual path.
- Chapter 1 - Samadhi
Discusses the state of clarity/mastery of mind to which a Yogi aspires. - Chapter 2 - Sadhana
Discusses the various aspects of actual practice and principles to support it. - Chapter 3 - Vibhuti
Discusses the results of Yoga practice and the strengths/powers/gifts therein. - Chapter 4 - Kaivalyam
Discusses the state of absolute Freedom that a yogi can achieve.
How to explore the sutras in more detail
The original is, of course, in sanskrit.
Non-sanskrit speakers, like me, are therefore dependent on commentaries and translations.
There are many many books to choose from and I have not of course read anywhere near all of these.
I would suggest that exploring at least a few is likely to afford a better understanding.
Personally, I particularly value Alistair Shearer's version for it's simplicity and poetic feel, it also includes a great overview of the history of Yoga.
I also like translations/commentaries by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and Bernard Bouanchaud.
Chanting of the sutras is a very beneficial practice.
It focuses the mind (a primary Raja Yoga goal) and supports us in enhancing our knowledge and our practice.
The sutras can be heard and learned via CDs/audio files.
I like Sonia Nelson's, and Nitya Mohan's versions, if you can get hold of them.
There are many insights into and explorations of the Yoga Sutras on Youtube.
I would suggest exploring the various options, and find what resonates with you.
I'll be writing more about the principles detailed in the Yoga Sutras in future articles.
Conclusion
Patanjali gave us Yoga, yet he does not tell us how to practice specific techniques.
He does not address the details of posture practice or of pranayama, for example, rather, the text gives us broad principles to work with.
The Yoga Sutras contain very powerful, and enormously practical, knowledge.
They give us solid, foundational, time-proven, base-line axioms to work with using our own choice of the many ways of employing the techniques and tools which have developed down the years.
In absorbing the sutras, Yoga practice can be experienced more as a spiritually-based life-path, and not as a specific set of techniques, and especially not as mere physical exercise.
Thus, Yoga can be understood in a much wider context than is often the case.