Sage Patanjali compiled the entire knowledge of yoga into simple easy-to-understand sutras or aphorisms around the 4th century BC. There are total of 196 sutras that clearly gives the techniques for the common man to realise himself and achieve oneness or consciousness. Yoga is one of the darshanas of Shatdarshanas or the 6 different ways of viewing the reality of life under the Indian thought system. It is one of the surest, easiest and most effective paths to self-realisation for anyone.
Sutra in Sanskrit means "Thread". It refers to a concise statement that weaves together ideas, insights, or principles. The verses were strung together like beads on a string. It made it easy to be transmitted from one generation to the next orally without diluting or distorting. The short verses meant, the need of a teacher or a guru to decipher it.
These sutras were divided into 4 different chapters.
1. Samadhi Pada - The path to achieve oneness
2. Sadhana Pada - The practise of yoga
3. Vidbuthi Pada - Manifestation of powers
4. Kaivalya Pada - Liberation
Here is a glimpse of the ten most popular sutras:
The first sutra from chapter 1, verse 1 - 1.1, says:
1.Atha Yoganushasanam - 1.1
Meaning, Now the yoga is explained, or now the discipline of yoga begins.
2. Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodhaha - 1.2
This is the most important sutra in the entire book. It explains what yoga means. It says yoga is chitta (Mind) vritti (the working or the agitations or the thoughts and the impressions) nirodhaha (destroys).
So yoga means stopping the working of the mind. OR achieving stillness, silence. Destroying or dissolving the mind.
3. Abhyasa Vairagyabhyam Tan-Nirodhah - 1.12
This sutra says that the fluctuations of the mind can be controlled through practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (Vairagya). Abhyam(together) Tan(their) Nirodhah(stop, control)
Practice and dispassion stop the modifications of the mind.
4. Tapah Swadhyaya Isvara Pranidhanani Kriya Yoga - 2.1
Tapah means discipline, Swadhaya is understanding oneself or self-study, Ishwara is consciousness, Pranidhanena is the surrender to that consciousness is the technique of yoga or to be in yoga. It is the action plan to be in yoga.
Self-discipline, self-study, devotion is the way to be in yoga.
5. Avidya Asmita Raga Dvesa Abhinivesah Kleshah - 2.3
Ignorance, Ego, desire, aversion, and clinging to one's own life are the obstacles on the path to samadhi
6. Yama Niyama Asana Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhayo Astavangani - 2.29
These are the 8-fold paths for realisation
7. Sthiram Sukham Asanam - 2.46
That position, which is steady and comfortable, is called Asana
8. Saucha Santosha Tapah Svadhyavesvara pranidhanani Niyamah - 2.32
Cleanliness(internal and external purification), Contentment, discipline, self-study, surrender(devotion) are the niyamas
9. Santosad anuttamah sukhalabhah - 2.42
From contentment, unsurpassed happiness is obtained.
Contentment is the willingness to be in the present moment. Contentment is the willingness to go beyond good and bad, right and wrong.
10. Maitri Karuna Mudita Upeksanam Sukha Asuhkka Punya Apunya Visayanam Bhavanatah Chitta Prasadanam - 1.33
Maitri(Freindliness, kindness), Karuna(compassion, love), Mudita(sympathetic joy, gladness), Upeksanam(equanimity), Sukha(those who are happy), Asukha(sad), Punya(those who are virtuous or good charecter), Apunya(those who are malevolent), Visayanam(objects, people), Bhavanatah(feelings, attitudes), Chitta(Mind), prasadanam(purification)
By cultivating the attitude of friendliness towards happiness, compassion towards suffering, delight towards virtue, and equanimity towards vice and no judgement, the mind remains undisturbed.
11. Smriti Parisuddhau Svarupa Sunya Iva Artha Matra Nirbhasa Nirvitarka - 1.43
The storehouse of memory completely purified, one's own true self shines forth beyond thought.
Smriti(memory), Parisuddhau(purification), Svarupa(own form), Sunya(Empty, devoid of), Iva(as it is), artha(meaning), Matra(alone), Nirbhasa(radiance), Nirvitarka(without discrimination)
References:
Raja yoga by Swami Vivekananda
https://www.yogapradipika.com/
