Sutra in Sanskrit means thread that holds things together. The Yoga sutras by Patanjali consist of 196 sutras that were compiled by Rishi Patanjali over two thousand years ago. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are life’s threads, each one rich with knowledge and techniques to guide the mind and help bring ones very being into full expression. Yoga means union and the purpose is to teach the practitioner of yoga how to achieve union or spirituality. Yoga teaches us that our true identity is our soul and our self identity is a fantasy to be overcome.

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These sutras do not teach you the specification of yoga or meditation. General information like how to sit, which poses are best, how to align your body etc because these sutras believe that these instructions will be provide by the instructor itself to his students. It is recommended that before starting practice these precepts one should go through the basic training and should learn the basics of practicing yoga and meditation.

Arranged in four chapters, or padas, the Yoga Sutra elucidates the basic teachings of yoga in short verses called sutras. In the second chapter Patanjali presents the ashtanga, or eight-limbed system, for which he is so famous. The disciplines of practicing the yoga are divided into eight steps and are listed below.

• Restraint: nonviolence, not lying, not stealing, not lusting, and nonattachment
• Observances: cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study, and surrender to the Supreme God
• Posture or physical exercises
• Breath control
• Sublimation or withdrawal from the senses
• Attention
• Concentration
• Meditation

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Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

These sutras are in four parts (padas)

Samadhi Pada I: Contemplation and Meditation:

Patanjali opens up by blessing of supreme spirit on the yoga practitioner. After that he explain the definition yoga as an union of self with supreme spirit. In next phase he explained the obstacles that are there in union with supreme. According to him the mind modifications are composed of fivefold movement that are afflicting or non afflicting, distressing or non distressing, pleasing or painful, troubling or not troubling, disturbing or not disturbing. We have to overcome all these obstacles by controlling our mind and thoughts. The art of Yoga is the repeated practice of restraining the fivefold movement so one can detach from desires and achieve ultimate freedom. He also explains the techniques to restrain the fivefold movement. At the end he told that surrender to god is an ultimate union one can achieve.

Sadhana Pada II: The Steps To Union:

In this step Patanjali tell us about how to achieve yoga discipline. When a devotee applies his mind and intelligence with devotion to practice yoga the path to spirituality is found. This pada is for beginners and experienced. The action of yoga is divided into three parts:

• A continuous desire to gain perfection
• To understand the true inner self and identify that inner is not outer covering.
• Surrender oneself to god.

Patanjali identified five afflictions that hinder one from achieving pure soul awareness are; spiritual ignorance, ego, attachment to desires and passions, hatred, and a fear of death. He also explains the role of nature in yoga practice. Further he explains that uninterrupted awareness is sevenfold and is attained progressively. That means yoga has to be practiced steadily and with full devotion. In this pada Patanjali also explains how to do different yoga asanas and how to breathe. The postures we do should be firm and steady. Breathe control should be done precisely and it should be according to duration, place and type of posture you are performing.

Vibhuti Pada III: Union Achieved And Its Results:

In this pada Patanjali tell us about the results or what you achieve by union with supreme spirit. This achievement will carry supernatural powers. Patanjali also warns yogi not to attach with these powers as ultimate goal is yet to be achieved. Yogi should not fell prey to higher deities. Until complete integration is achieved yogi will be in constant danger of failure. Patanjali explained integration as concentration, meditation, and spiritual absorption. Joined three makes integration. Talking about supernatural powers a yogi can control time present, past and future. He can read other person mind. Will have strength like an elephant and many more. If yogi gets attached to these powers then this can lead to destruction.

Kaivalya Pada IV: Illumination and Freedom:

This is the last pada in which Patanjali explains the purity of soul and sacred knowledge it imparts. He explains how yogi attains absolute freedom by exceeding nature and its effects. He also teaches yogi how to live and serve mankind.

• Achievements are gained by personification, word power, drugs, and strong desire or by meditation.
• Relocation of realization from one state to another is a part of an immense evolutionary process.
• The purpose of yoga is not to transfer realization from one state to another but to remove the obstacles in between. From yoga you are just preparing the ground.
• Mind is behind to create the sense of individuality.
• Consciousness itself is one but can produce varied number of forms.
• Among all the forms of consciousness, only which originate due to meditation is free from any type of influence.

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Patanjali explains about the karma (actions of yogi). He says that karma of yogi is neither good nor bad. They are neutral. On the other hand people have their karmas as white, grey or black. Thereafter, afflictions and the effects of karma will disappear and the Yogi will stop from all types of concerns, and will be engaged in the field of bliss and beatitude. Total deliverance is only possible when the three qualities of matter (light, inertia and vibration) no longer affects any the Yogi as well as having discharged the four fold aims (duties to self, family, society and country). Once established in one’s own true nature, the power of pure soul awareness, there is nothing left to be done.

Yoga sutras of Patanjali are the basics from which yoga started in different forms. One has to become devote to learn these sutras and has to become yogi to master it.