PracticeLibrarySutrasAshtangaMeditation
The Eternal Source

Patanjali'sSutras

The foundation of classical Yoga. 196 threads of wisdom that illuminate the path to self-realization and mastery of the mind.

1.1
Samadhi Pada

अथ योगानुशासनम्

atha yogānuśāsanam

Translation

"Now, the instruction of Yoga begins."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

Atha implies readiness. After the experiences of the world, one is finally ready for the discipline of the self.

1.2
Samadhi Pada

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः

yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

Translation

"Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The heart of yoga. When the waves of the mind (Vrittis) become still, we find our true center.

1.3
Samadhi Pada

तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम्

tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe-'vasthānam

Translation

"Then the Seer abides in Its own true nature."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

In the silence of the mind, we no longer identify with our thoughts but rest in pure awareness.

1.4
Samadhi Pada

वृत्ति सारूप्यमितरत्र

vṛtti sārūpyam-itaratra

Translation

"At other times, the Seer identifies with the fluctuations."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

When the mind is busy, we mistake our thoughts and emotions for who we are.

1.5
Samadhi Pada

वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः

vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ

Translation

"The fluctuations of the mind are fivefold; they are either painful or non-painful."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

Our thoughts can either lead us toward suffering or toward liberation.

1.12
Samadhi Pada

अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः

abhyāsa-vairāgyābhyāṃ tan-nirodhaḥ

Translation

"These fluctuations are stilled through practice and non-attachment."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The two pillars of Yoga: Abhyasa (persistent effort) and Vairagya (letting go).

1.13
Samadhi Pada

तत्र स्थितौ यत्नोऽभ्यासः

tatra sthitau yatno-'bhyāsaḥ

Translation

"Practice is the effort to achieve steadiness."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

Abhyasa is the constant, dedicated attempt to keep the mind centered and calm.

1.14
Samadhi Pada

स तु दीर्घकालनैरन्तर्यसत्कारासेवितो दृढभूमिः

sa tu dīrghakāla nairantarya satkāra āsevito dṛḍhabhūmiḥ

Translation

"Practice becomes firmly grounded when it is performed for a long time, without interruption, and with devotion."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The recipe for mastery: consistency, duration, and sincerity.

1.20
Samadhi Pada

श्रद्धावीर्यस्मृतिसमाधिप्रज्ञापूर्वक इतरेषाम्

śraddhā-vīrya-smṛti-samādhi-prajñā-pūrvaka itareṣām

Translation

"For others, this state is preceded by faith, energy, memory, and high discernment."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The path of the yogi requires cultivation of these five qualities.

1.23
Samadhi Pada

ईश्वरप्रणिधानाद्वा

īśvara-praṇidhānād-vā

Translation

"Success is also attained through surrender to the Divine."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

Devotion and surrender are powerful shortcuts to mental stillness.

1.33
Samadhi Pada

मैत्रीकरुणामुदितोपेक्षाणां सुखदुःखपुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां भावनातश्चित्तप्रसादनम्

maitrī-karuṇā-mudito-pekṣāṇāṃ sukha-duḥkha-puṇyā-puṇya-viṣayāṇāṃ bhāvanātaś-citta-prasādanam

Translation

"The mind becomes serene by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion toward the unhappy, delight toward the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The "Four Keys" to social harmony and personal peace.

2.1
Samadhi Pada

तपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोगः

tapaḥ svādhyāy-eśvarapraṇidhānāni kriyāyogaḥ

Translation

"Yoga in action (Kriya Yoga) consists of self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to the Divine."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The practical steps for daily life: Tapas (discipline), Svadhyaya (contemplation), and Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion).

2.3
Samadhi Pada

अविद्यास्मितारागद्वेषाभिनिवेशाः पञ्च क्लेशाः

avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśāḥ pañca kleśāḥ

Translation

"The five afflictions (Kleshas) are ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The root causes of human suffering. Understanding them is the first step toward freedom.

2.29
Samadhi Pada

यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि

yama-niyama-āsana-prāṇāyāma-pratyāhāra-dhāraṇā-dhyāna-samādhayo-'ṣṭāvaṅgāni

Translation

"The eight limbs of Yoga are self-restraint, observance, posture, breath control, withdrawal of senses, concentration, meditation, and absorption."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

The complete map of the Ashtanga Yoga system.

2.46
Samadhi Pada

स्थिरसुखमासनम्

sthira-sukham-āsanam

Translation

"Posture should be steady and comfortable."

WISDOM EXPLANATION

Asana is a balance of effort (Sthira) and ease (Sukha).