a verse by verse discussion of one of the most important texts for yoga practitioners everywhere. Patañjali Yoga Sutram is a highly regarded text encompassing 4 chapters on the state of yoga, the practice of yoga, benefits and cautions of the yoga path and the ultimate aim of abiding peace. Studying this text is an enormous support to our continued practice.
The Subject of this text...
अथ योगानुशासनम् ॥१॥
atha yogānuśāsanam ॥1॥
The definition of the subject matter...
योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥२॥
yogaś citta-vr̥tti-nirodhaḥ ॥2॥
The result of yoga...
तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपे ऽवस्थानम् ॥३॥
tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe 'vasthānam ॥3॥
the counter option...
वृत्तिसारूप्यमितरत्र ॥४॥
vr̥tti-sārūpyam itaratra ॥4॥
The mental activities ...
वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः ॥५॥
vr̥ttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ ॥5॥
The 5 vrttis...
प्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयः ॥६॥
pramāṇa-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrā-smr̥tayaḥ ॥6॥
On Pramana...
प्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयः ॥६॥
pramāṇa-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrā-smr̥tayaḥ ॥6॥
"your understanding doesn't tally with the Truth"
विपर्ययोमिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम् ॥८॥
viparyayo mithyā-jñānam-atadrūpa pratiṣṭham ॥8॥