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Yoga Sutras
of Patanjali - Raja Yoga - Ashtanga Yoga:
Purpose: The
goal of this rendition of the Yoga Sutras is to make the principles and practices of the Yoga Sutras more
understandable and accessible. The descriptions attempt to focus on the practical
suggestions of what to do
to regulate the mind, so as to attain direct experience beyond the
mind. The intent is to explain, not to proffer some new system or school
of Yoga. Hyperlinks are used extensively, allowing
you to easily move around among the many sutras, principles and practices. This collection of web
pages on the Yoga Sutra is being routinely revised and improved.
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Six ways to review: Here are six ways to review these web pages on the Yoga Sutra:
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Summary page: On the Summary
page (the page you are now reading) you can click on the individual sutras that draw your attention.
This will take you to more detail on the sutras (To print the
Summary page, it is better to reduce the View size in the browser, and
to print in Landscape view; then tape the pages together.)
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Chapter overviews: Go through
the brief overviews of each of the four chapters, beginning with Chapter
1. Then, click through the links to each of the other Chapter
overviews.
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Section reviews: The 196 sutras
have been divided into 39 sections (in this website). Each section has a few paragraphs
that describe that section. Start with the first
section, read those few paragraphs (not reading the
individual sutras), and then click on Next
section
at the top of the page. This will take you to the next section.
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Review all sutras: There is
also running list of all 196 sutras,
which can read in its entirety in a
few minutes. Each sutra in this list has a link to the complete
description of the sutra.
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Questions: There is a page of Reminder
Questions, along with a link to the sutra that answers the
question.
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Narrative: The narrative
version presents the Yoga Sutras in paragraph format, which might be a
more familiar way to learn.
Commentaries: It's useful to have several
different commentaries close at hand so as to get greater depth and a
variety of perspectives when exploring a particular sutra.
Downloads: There are also Downloads
on the Yoga Sutras, including interpretive translation with
transliterated Sanskrit and word-for-word translations, a narrative
summary of the interpretive translation, study questions, and a two-page
summary of all sutras (which can be printed and taped together to make it
a one-page summary).
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What are the Yoga Sutras?: The Yoga
Sutras of Patanjali succinctly outlines the
art and science of Yoga meditation for Self-Realization. It is a process of
systematically encountering, examining, and transcending each of the
various gross and subtle levels of false identity in the mind field, until the jewel of the true
Self comes shining through.
When Patanjali
codified, or compiled the Yoga Sutras, it was not that a new system was created,
but rather, the ancient
practices were summarized in an extremely organized and terse way. While
the Yoga Sutras are thought to be as old as 400 BCE, archaeological
evidence and other texts suggest that the methods described in the Yoga
Sutras were being practiced as early as 3000 BCE. Oral tradition states
that the period may be even longer.
Yoga means union & sutra
means thread: Yoga means union of the parts
of ourselves, which were never divided in the first place. Yoga literally
means to yoke, from the foot yuj, which means to join;
it is the same as the absorption in the state of samadhi. Sutra means
thread, and
this thread, or multiple threads weave a tapestry of insight and direct
experience. Some say
that the name of the text uses the word sutra in its plural
form, as Yoga Sutras, in that each of the sutras, or threads,
comes together to form a complete tapestry. Others say that it is used in
its singular form, as Yoga Sutra, in that there is one,
consistent thread that flows through the entire text. Both views add a useful
perspective to the process being described.
In the writings on this website, both
terms are intentionally used.
Regulating your own mind: Swami
Rama explains, "There have been many scholarly commentaries on the
Yoga Sutras, but all the commentaries miss something very practical. Such
commentaries can only satisfy the intellect, but do not actually help you
beyond that: 'yogash chitta vritti narodha'--yoga is the control of the
'modifications' of the mind [1.2].
Narodha means control; there is no other English word for it. Control
doesn't mean suppression, but channeling or regulating."
Other names: The Yoga Sutras is also referred to as
Raja Yoga, the Royal Yoga. Some call it Kriya Yoga,
drawing on the use of the word from Chapter 2 (2.1).
Others refer to it as Ashtanga Yoga (Ashta = eight;
anga = rungs), which is the eight-fold path of Yoga, including yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and
samadhi, which begin with Sutra 28 of Chapter 2 (2.28) (Note that this does not
refer to the popularized physical yoga that has chosen to
use the same name, Ashtanga Yoga, for their practices).
Yoga and Sankhya philosophies: The
process of realization through Yoga rests on the discovery of pure
consciousness (purusha) as
separate from all the many false identities, which are considered to be
evolutes of primal matter (prakriti).
These principles of purusha and prakriti are part of the philosophical
system known as Sankhya. Yoga
and Sankhya are
two of the six systems of Indian philosophy. See
also these articles:
Interpretive translation: The
translations on both the
summary page of the Yoga Sutras and the page
listing all 196 sutras of the Yoga Sutras here are interpretive,
providing expanded translations (some renditions are divided into 194-200
sutras). For example, sutra 1.2
defines Yoga with some 25 English words, rather than only 4 Sanskrit
words. The practices of the Yoga Sutras are extremely practical,
though it can seem quite complicated when trying to sort through the
language. By providing expanded, interpretive translations, the practical meaning of
the suggestions more easily comes through.
 About
the Icons: From the main page on the Yoga Sutras (the page that you
are now viewing), there are links to 39 clusters of sutras. Each of those
pages has an icon such as the one on the left. The reason for these is
that the mind can remember information much more easily when there is a
visual component. This icon allows you to "see" where a
particular topic is located in the four chapters of the Yoga Sutras. The
example at the left is Yoga Sutras 2.12-2.25, which is on Breaking the
Alliance with Karma. Now that you "see" this, you might more
easily remember that these sutras on karma are close to the middle of column 2, which
is Chapter 2. Then, at some later time, when you want to read the part
about Karma, you may remember to go to the main page, scroll to that
location in column 2, and click on that topic. It might also help you to
simply recall that Karma is discussed around the middle of Chapter 2.
Scroll down to the
bottom of the page
to see all of the icons for the
39 clusters of the Yoga Sutras.
Many translations: There are many
different English translations of the Yoga Sutras, with each providing a
perspective. It can be tempting to look for the single translation that
seems "best" compared to the others. However, each translation
adds something, and each translation might miss something else. What seems
most useful is to read many translations, and then draw from them what you
find most useful. The HRIH.net
website currently lists 48 English translations of the Yoga Sutras, as
well as translations in 33 other languages. Some of the translations are
very brief, and others more expanded. Once again, the translation here on
SwamiJ.com is an expanded, interpretive translation that is intended to
make the practical instructions more clear. If you enjoy this translation,
you will also enjoy using other translations as well to complement your
understanding and practices.
Acknowledgements: These
interpretive translations and descriptions could not happen without the
codifying of the Yoga Sutra by the Patanjali lineage, the commentator
Vyasa, and the various translations and commentaries of many others,
each of whom have contributed something to this mind. Of greatest
acknowledgement is the tradition of the Himalayan
Masters, who continue to teach and operate through this mind, as
instructed by Swami Rama, the one to whom the
highest acknowledgement, gratitude, and love is given.
Typographical errors: If you
notice any typographical errors or bad links, would you please contact
me so that corrections can be made.
Printing this website: It may be
tempting to print out the many Yoga Sutra pages on this website, but that
is not recommended for the simple reason that you would lose the benefits
of the hyperlinks. These links allow you to easily move around throughout
the sutras, and that is a great aid in learning. Some of the individual
pages might be good to print, such as the Introduction
(which you are now reading), Summary, Keys,
List, or Chapters.
The one page that is most recommended to print out is the Summary
page. (To print the Summary page, it is better to reduce the
View size in the browser, and
to print in Landscape view; then tape the pages together. A
printable version of the Summary page is also in the Downloads
section of the website.)
Using the search engine: The website itself has a search engine on the home page
or any of the Index pages, which can be reached by clicking on any of the
links at the top of the pages. While this
searches the whole website, you can see in the link address which
ones are linked to the Yoga Sutras pages. Just type in the subject
you are looking for. If you also type in the words "yoga
sutras," in addition to your search term, it should bring you
to the appropriate pages.
Yoga Sutras is for teachers: It
can be comforting to know that the Yoga Sutra is actually designed for
teachers as a guideline in training students. By remembering this orientation, it is easier to see that at the current
moment, only portions of the text apply to you personally. The rest can then be
allowed to come along the way. While progressing along the path, it is very useful to have
a general understanding of the whole process being outlined in the Yoga
Sutras.
How to learn the Yoga Sutras:
Yoga has to do with examining ones internal states of consciousness,
and clearing out the clouded mind, so that the jewel of the
center of consciousness, the Self, can be experienced in its unalloyed
purity. There are several compatible parts of the process:
- Written study: A good deal of
effort is needed in going through the written explanations and
commentaries on the Yoga Sutras.
- Oral learning: More importantly, the practical application
of the Yoga Sutra needs to be discussed orally with those who are really following
and doing the practices themselves.
- Direct experience: Even more importantly, however, the practices must
actually be done to attain the validation of direct
experience.
- Transmission: In the tradition of the Himalayan
masters, the higher understanding comes through direct
transmission known as shaktipata.
Books and commentaries: There are
many books on the Yoga Sutras, which provide different translations and
commentaries. Some of these are extremely useful, and some not so useful.
For those who are serious about practicing the profound teachings of the
Yoga Sutra, it is recommended to have several translations and
commentaries at hand. This allows you to go into greater depth when you
are trying to work with an individual sutra. There are a handful of recommended
books on the Yoga Sutras on this website.
Diversity of opinions: If an art
teacher asked a class of ten students to each paint a picture of a vase of
flowers, the result would be ten different paintings, which might bear
some resemblance to one another, yet would each be unique. The same thing
happens when descriptions are written about the practices of the Yoga
Sutras, or other such writings. It is important to remember this when
reading commentaries, so as to experience them as complementary rather
than as contradictory.
Succinct versus Incomplete: In going through the Yoga Sutras, it is extremely useful to note that
one of its most wonderful features is that of being succinct. It is an
outline of only some 196 sentences, threads, or sutras. It is like the
table of contents of an extremely large book, if not encyclopedia.
Historically, this outline is used in oral discussion, where the teachings
themselves are shared in face-to-face dialogue, usually with people living
together in community. With the invention of the printing press, and our
recent innovations with computer technology, there are ever more written
words. If we are tempted to say that Patanjali is incomplete in his
comments, please keep in mind that it comes from oral
tradition, where students memorized the entirety of the Yoga
Sutras, and that the depth of the information was oral, not written.
Viewed in that light, we can see that it is not valid to say that the Yoga
Sutras is incomplete, simply because it has the very useful quality
of being succinct.
Witnessing the inner world: Yoga is a
journey within, exploring and moving through the various levels of our
being. There is a paper on the website entitled Witnessing
Your Thoughts, which gives practical suggestions on exploring this
inner world. Most of the principles and suggestions in that paper are
directly related to the Yoga Sutras.
Yoga Sutras is a preliminary step: In the tradition of the Himalayan sages,
this ancient, oral yoga system, recorded by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras
is accepted as a preliminary step. Building on that foundation, the
Advaita Vedanta system is practiced, particularly relating to the states
of waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the fourth state, turiya. Purely
internal tantra is practiced as a means of spiritual awakening and
realization. Thus, Yoga, Vedanta,
and Tantra work synergistically in philosophy and practice.
Revisions: This collection of web
pages on the Yoga Sutra is being routinely revised and improved.
Yoga
Sutras Outline:
Yoga
Sutras - Chapter
1
Concentration
Samadhi Pada
WHAT IS YOGA?
(Yoga Sutras 1.1-1.4)
Yoga Sutra 1.1: Now, after previous preparation, begins yoga
Yoga Sutra 1.2: Yoga is the mastery and integration of the activities of mind
Yoga Sutra 1.3: Then the seer, the Self rests in its true nature
Yoga Sutra 1.4: At other times, it is identified with subtle thoughts
UN-COLORING YOUR THOUGHTS (Yoga Sutras
1.5-1.11)
Yoga Sutras 1.5-1.6: Witnessing 5 kinds of thoughts that are either colored or not-colored
Yoga Sutra 1.7: Three ways to obtain correct knowledge
Yoga Sutras 1.8-1.11: Incorrect knowledge, imagination, sleep, memory
PRACTICE AND NON-ATTACHMENT (Yoga
Sutras 1.12-1.16)
Yoga Sutra 1.12: How to master thoughts
Yoga Sutra 1.13: Meaning of practice
Yoga Sutra 1.14: How to make practice firm
Yoga Sutras 1.15-1.16: Non-attachment and supreme non-attachment
TYPES OF CONCENTRATION (Yoga Sutras
1.17-1.18)
Yoga Sutra 1.17: Four levels of concentration
Yoga Sutra 1.18: Objectless concentration is next
EFFORTS AND COMMITMENT (Yoga Sutras
1.19-1.22)
Yoga Sutras 1.19-1.20: Five types of effort needed
Yoga Sutras 1.21-1.22: Choosing one of nine levels of practice
DIRECT ROUTE THROUGH AUM (1.23-1.29)
Yoga Sutras 1.23-1.29: Contemplation on AUM
OBSTACLES AND SOLUTIONS (Yoga Sutras
1.30-1.32)
Yoga Sutras 1.30-1.31: Obstacles on the journey
Yoga Sutra 1.32: Use one-pointedness for the obstacles
STABILIZING AND CLEARING THE MIND (Yoga
Sutras 1.33-1.39)
Yoga Sutra 1.33: Four attitudes to cultivate towards other people
Yoga Sutras 1.34-1.38: Five concentrations for stabilizing the mind
Yoga Sutra 1.39: Or, concentration on whatever is pleasant and useful
AFTER STABILIZING THE MIND (Yoga Sutras
1.40-1.51)
Yoga Sutra 1.40: Ability to focus on infinitely small and large is sign of stability
Yoga Sutra 1.41: Mind becomes clear, like a transparent crystal
Yoga Sutras 1.42-1.46: Types of engrossment with concentration
Yoga Sutras 1.47-1.49: Gaining knowledge filled with higher truth
Yoga Sutra 1.50: Samadhi leaves latent impressions that oppose formation of others
Yoga Sutra 1.51: Then comes objectless samadhi
Yoga
Sutras - Chapter 2
Practice
Sadhana Pada
MINIMIZING GROSS COLORING (Yoga Sutras
2.1-2.9)
Yoga Sutras 2.1-2.2: Kriya yoga reduces colored thoughts by three methods
Yoga Sutra 2.3: Five kinds of coloring
Yoga Sutra 2.4: Four stages of coloring
Yoga Sutra 2.5: Four types of ignorance
Yoga Sutras 2.6-2.9: Colorings of I-ness, attraction, aversion, and fear
DEALING WITH SUBTLE THOUGHTS (Yoga Sutras
2.10-2.11)
Yoga Sutra 2.10: Once thoughts are subtle, they are eliminated by dissolution of mind
Yoga Sutra 2.11: When there remains slight coloring of thoughts, it is neutralized by meditation
BREAKING THE ALLIANCE OF KARMA (Yoga
Sutras 2.12-2.25)
Yoga Sutras 2.12-2.14: Nature of latent impressions
Yoga Sutra 2.15: A wise one sees even pleasure as painful
Yoga Sutra 2.16: Pain yet to come is to be avoided
Yoga Sutra 2.17: Uniting seer and seen is the cause of the pain to be avoided
Yoga Sutras 2.18-2.22: Nature of those objects
Yoga Sutras 2.23-2.24: Eliminating the alliance with avidya or ignorance, which is the underlying problem
Yoga Sutra 2.25: By reducing this avidya, ignorance, freedom naturally ensues
THE 8 RUNGS AND DISCRIMINATION (Yoga
Sutras 2.26-2.29)
Yoga Sutras 2.26-2.27: Discrimination is the central key to enlightenment
Yoga Sutra 2.28: 8 rungs of Yoga are the tool for discrimination
Yoga Sutra 2.29: 8 rungs of Yoga are listed
YAMAS & NIYAMAS, #1-2 (Yoga Sutras
2.30-2.34)
Yoga Sutras 2.30-2.31: The 5 Yamas, rung #1
Yoga Sutra 2.32: The 5 Niyamas, rung #2
Yoga Sutra 2.33: When negative, remind yourself this brings misery and ignorance
Yoga Sutra 2.34: Negativity is 27 types
BENEFITS FROM YAMAS &NIYAMAS (Yoga
Sutras 2.35-2.45)
Yoga Sutras 2.35-2.39: Benefits from the 5 Yamas
Yoga Sutras 2.40-2.45: Benefits from the 5 Niyamas
ASANA, #3 OF 8 RUNGS (Yoga Sutras
2.46-2.48)
Yoga Sutras 2.46-2.48: Meditation posture, Asana, is attained by attention on the infinite
PRANAYAMA, #4 OF 8 RUNGS (Yoga Sutras
2.49-2.53)
Yoga Sutras 2.49-2.50: Three aspects of breath
Yoga Sutra 2.51: Fourth pranayama is beyond these
Yoga Sutras 2.52-2.53: This thins the veil of karma over the light
PRATYAHARA, #5 OF 8 RUNGS (Yoga Sutras
2.54-2.55)
Yoga Sutra 2.54: The senses and actions return back into the mind
Yoga Sutra 2.55: Then there is less tendency of the mind towards objects
Yoga
Sutras - Chapter 3
Progressing
Vibhuti Pada
DHARANA,
DHYANA, SAMADHI, #6, #7, #8 OF 8 RUNGS
(Yoga Sutras 3.1-3.3)
Yoga Sutra 3.1: Dharana or concentration is #6
Yoga Sutra 3.2: Dhyana or meditation, #7, comes from repeated concentration
Yoga Sutra 3.3: Samadhi, #8, comes from deep absorption
SAMYAMA IS THE FINER TOOL
(Yoga Sutras 3.4-3.6)
Yoga Sutra 3.4: Dharana, dhyana, and samadhi together are Samyama
Yoga Sutra 3.5: Mastery of Samyama brings the light of knowledge
Yoga Sutra 3.6: Apply Samyama to finer planes, states, or stages
INTERNAL IS SEEN TO BE EXTERNAL (Yoga
Sutras 3.7-3.8)
Yoga Sutra 3.7: These 3 rungs: are more intimate and internal than the first 5
Yoga Sutra 3.8: Even these 3 are external compared to seedless Samadhi
WITNESSING SUBTLE TRANSITIONS (Yoga
Sutras 3.9-3.16)
Yoga Sutras 9-16: Samyama is done on 3 extremely subtle thought transitions
EXPERIENCES FROM SAMYAMA (Yoga Sutras
3.17-3.37)
Yoga Sutra 3.17: Three aspects of an object
Yoga Sutra 3.18: Samyama on samskaras
Yoga Sutras 3.19-3.20: On ideas from others
Yoga Sutras 3.21-3.22: On physical form and senses
Yoga Sutra 3.23: On karma foretells death
Yoga Sutras 3.24-3.25: On attitudes and strength
Yoga Sutras 3.26-3.35: On inner subtleties
Yoga Sutras 3.36-3.37: On pure consciousness
WHAT TO DO WITH EXPERIENCES (Yoga Sutra
3.38)
Yoga Sutra 3.38: They are both attainments and obstacles
MORE FROM SAMYAMA (Yoga Sutras 3.39-3.49)
Yoga Sutra 3.39: Passage to another body
Yoga Sutras 3.40-3.41: Samyama on pranas
Yoga Sutras 3.42-3.43: On space, hearing, and body
Yoga Sutra 3.44: On thought projections
Yoga Sutras 3.45-3.47: On the five elements
Yoga Sutras 3.48-3.49: On senses and actions
RENUNCIATION AND LIBERATION (Yoga Sutras
3.50-3.52)
Yoga Sutra 3.50: Discernment of Buddhi and Purusha brings mastery over all
Yoga Sutra 3.51: Non-attachment to forms and omniscience destroys seeds
Yoga Sutra 3.52: Decline invitations of celestials
HIGHER DISCRIMINATION (Yoga Sutras
3.53-3.56)
Yoga Sutra 3.53: Moments and succession
Yoga Sutra 3.54: Discriminating similar objects
Yoga Sutra 3.55: Higher knowledge is intuitive and born from discrimination
Yoga Sutra 3.56: Equality between Buddhi and Purusha brings liberation
Yoga
Sutras - Chapter 4
Liberation
Kaivalya Pada
MEANS OF ATTAINING EXPERIENCE (Yoga
Sutras 4.1-4.3)
Yoga Sutra 4.1: Five means of subtler attainment
Yoga Sutra 4.2: Transitions involve filling in
Yoga Sutra 4.3: Removal of obstacles brings results
EMERGENCE AND MASTERY OF MIND (Yoga
Sutras 4.4-4.6)
Yoga Sutras 4.4-4.6: Construct and use of mind
ACTIONS AND KARMA (Yoga Sutras 4.7-4.8)
Yoga Sutra 4.7: Kinds of actions
Yoga Sutra 4.8: Subconscious manifests
SUBCONSCIOUS IMPRESSIONS (Yoga Sutras
4.9-4.12)
Yoga Sutra 4.9: Memory and latent impressions
Yoga Sutra 4.10: Desire for self preservation
Yoga Sutra 4.11: Disappearance of cause, motive, and substratum
Yoga Sutra 4.12: Past and future are present in fundamental form
OBJECTS AND THE 3 GUNAS (Yoga Sutras
4.13-4.14)
Yoga Sutra 4.13: Characteristics made of gunas
Yoga Sutra 4.14: Objects appear as a unit
MIND PERCEIVING OBJECTS (Yoga Sutras
4.15-4.17)
Yoga Sutra 4.15: Separate minds and paths
Yoga Sutra 4.16: Object is not dependent on one mind
Yoga Sutra 4.17: Objects known by coloring
ILLUMINATION OF THE MIND (Yoga Sutras
4.18-4.21)
Yoga Sutra 4.18: Thoughts are known by purusha
Yoga Sutra 4.19: Mind not self illuminating
Yoga Sutra 4.20: Mind and objects cannot be cognized simultaneously
Yoga Sutra 4.21: One mind does not illumine another
BUDDHI AND LIBERATION (Yoga Sutras
4.22-4.26)
Yoga Sutra 4.22: Consciousness and buddhi
Yoga Sutras 4.23-4.24: Seer and mind
Yoga Sutra 4.25: Inquiries about self cease
Yoga Sutra 4.26: Discrimination and liberation
BREACHES IN ENLIGHTENMENT (Yoga Sutras
4.27-4.28)
Yoga Sutra 4.27: Breaks in enlightenment allow colorings to arise
Yoga Sutra 4.28: Colorings are dealt with as before
PERPETUAL ENLIGHTENMENT (Yoga Sutras
4.29-4.30)
Yoga Sutra 4.29: Rain cloud of virtues comes
Yoga Sutra 4.30: Actions and colorings are removed
KNOWABLES BECOME FEW (Yoga Sutra 4.31)
Yoga Sutra 4.31: There is little to know
GUNAS AFTER LIBERATION (Yoga Sutras
4.32-4.34)
Yoga Sutra 4.32: Succession of change ends
Yoga Sutra 4.33: Succession defined
Yoga Sutra 4.34: Gunas resolve into their cause
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Visual placement of the
Yoga Sutras |
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Mind can
often learn more easily with visual reference. Click on
the picture to go to that section of the discussions.
Experiment with this, coming to this visual page,
exploring by clicking and reading. Gradually, the mind
remembers the location of the topics in the Yoga Sutras,
making it easier to find principles and in the written
texts.
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Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
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Yoga
Nidra is a deep practice that leads one through many levels
of mental process to a state of supreme stillness that is very
beneficial for inner integration.
Yoga
Nidra CD from SwamiJ.com |
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