Introduction
Maharishi Patanjali is revered as the compiler of the Yoga Sutras. He is believed to be an avatar of Adi Shesha, the Infinite Cosmic Serpent, upon whom Lord Vishnu rests. Patanjali is also credited as the author of a commentary on Panini’s Ashtadhyayi and is thought to have written a work on the ancient Indian medicine system, Ayurveda. His birth is described as occurring after a yogini and brahmacharini named Gonika prayed to the Sun god for a son, whereupon Patanjali appeared as a small snake-like structure that moved into her palms. The name ‘Patanjali’ derives from ‘pat’ meaning “fallen” and ‘anjali’ meaning “hands joined for prayer”.
1. The Patanjali Yoga Sutras (Raja Yoga)
Maharishi Patanjali compiled the 195 Yoga Sutras, which are divided into four chapters, making it the oldest known compilation explaining Yoga. The Patanjali Yoga Sutras are also referred to as Raja Yoga, meaning the ‘kingly’ or ‘royal path’ to physical and mental control, aiming to achieve the ultimate freedom from life’s miseries and sufferings. This ultimate state is known as Kaivalya. Swami Vivekananda associated Patanjali’s Yoga with Raja Yoga and described it as the path of willpower. Hatha Yoga is often considered a preparatory path to the higher practices of Raja Yoga, with Swami Svatmarama stating that Raja Yoga cannot achieve perfection without Hatha Yoga.
The Four Chapters (Padas) of the Yoga Sutras
Samadhi Pada (51 sutras):
This chapter defines Yoga and discusses the modifications of the mind (vrittis), the practice (abhyas), detachment (vairagya), the chanting of Om (pranava), obstacles in the path of yoga (vikshepas), and methods to calm the mind (chitta prasadana).
Sadhana Pada (55 sutras):
This chapter begins with Kriya Yoga (which includes tapas, swadhyaya, and Ishvara Pranidhana), explores the five types of sufferings (kleshas), social ethics (yama), personal ethics (niyama), asanas, pranayama, and pratyahara. The sutra “Sthira Sukham Asanam” (2.46), meaning a posture should be firm and comfortable, is given in this chapter.
Vibhuti Pada (55 sutras):
This chapter delves into Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (superconscious state), and Samyama, along with various types of siddhis (powers).
Kaivalya Pada (34 sutras):
This chapter describes Kaivalya, which is the highest form of Samadhi and the ultimate aim of Yoga.
2. Core Concepts and Sutras from Patanjali Yoga Sutras
2.1. Definition of Yoga
Patanjali’s definition of Yoga is articulated in the following sutras:
- “Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodaha” (1.2): This foundational sutra means “Yoga is restraining the modifications/fluctuations of the mind”. Chitta refers to consciousness, which is comprised of manas (synthesizing faculty), buddhi (intellectual/decision-making faculty), and ahamkara (ego). Vritti refers to the modifications, modulations, tendencies, or functions of the mind, while nirodha means “to restrict or control”. Swami Vivekananda also defines Yoga as restraining the mind-stuff.
- “Tada Drashtu Svarupe Avasthanam” (1.3): This sutra means “Then the seer abides in its own true form”. When the mind’s modifications cease, the seer (drashtuh), which represents the Atman or soul, abides in its own unchanging state.
- “Heyam Dukham Anagatam” (2.16): This sutra signifies that Yoga means the ability to stop misery even before it arrives.
2.2. The Vrittis (Modifications of the Mind)
Patanjali describes five types of vrittis, which can be either painful (klishta) or not painful (aklishta):
- “Vrittayah Pancatayyah Klishtaklishtah” (1.5): “Vrittis are five in number and are either painful or not painful”.
- “Pramana Viparyaya Vikalpa Nidra Smritayah” (1.6): The five types of vrittis are Pramana (right knowledge), Viparyaya (incorrect knowledge), Vikalpa (imagination), Nidra (sleep), and Smriti (memory).
Types of Vrittis:
- Pramana (Right Knowledge): Direct perception, inference, and testimony (Pratyaksha, Anumana, Agama).
- Viparyaya (Incorrect Knowledge): Illusory, mistaken perceptions.
- Vikalpa (Imagination): Verbal, conceptual knowing without basis.
- Nidra (Sleep): Absence of content.
- Smriti (Memory): Retention of past experiences.
Restraining Vrittis:
- “Abhyasavairagyabhyam Tannirodhah” (1.12): “Repeated practice and detachment from sensual pleasures restrain all the vrittis”.
2.3. Chitta Bhumis (States of Mind)
Patanjali’s Yoga Bhashya explains five states of Chitta (mind):
- Kshiptam (Disturbed): Dominated by Rajas—restlessness and agitation.
- Mudham (Dull/Torpid): Dominated by Tamas—dullness and laziness.
- Vikshiptam (Occasionally Steady): Rajas and Sattva—focus, but still distractible.
- Ekagram (One-pointed): Sattva—firm concentration.
- Niruddham (Restrained): Complete stillness of mind.
2.4. Chitta Vikshepas (Distractions of the Mind)
Patanjali identifies nine obstacles or disturbances of the mind:
- Vyadhi – Physical illness
- Styan – Mental lethargy
- Samshaya – Doubt
- Pramada – Misplaced priorities
- Alasya – Physical laziness
- Avirati – Attachment to pleasures
- Bhranti Darshana – Illusions
- Alabdha Bhumikatva – Inability to find firm ground
- Anavasthitatva – Instability
Solution:
“Ek Tatva Abhyasa”—practice of one principle, interpreted as Ashtanga Yoga.
2.5. Pancha Kleshas (Five Afflictions)
‘Klesha’ means “pain”. Patanjali describes five inborn mental afflictions:
- Avidya (Ignorance): Seeing the non-eternal as eternal.
- Asmita (Ego): “I-am-ness”.
- Raga (Attachment): Clinging to pleasures.
- Dvesha (Aversion): Strong dislikes.
- Abhinivesha (Fear of death): Clinging to life.
Remedies:
Kriya Yoga (tapas, swadhyaya, Ishvara Pranidhana) to weaken kleshas; Dhyana and Pratiprasava to eliminate them.
2.6. The Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs of Yoga)
Patanjali’s Yoga (Raja Yoga) is fundamentally based on Ashtanga Yoga:
- Yama (Social Ethics): Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha.
- Niyama (Personal Ethics): Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Swadhyaya, Ishwara Pranidhana.
- Asana (Posture): Steady and comfortable posture (“Sthira Sukham Asanam” 2.46).
- Pranayama (Breathing Technique): Regulation and control of breath.
- Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses): Inward turning of senses.
- Dharana (Concentration): Focused attention.
- Dhyana (Meditation): Continuous dharana.
- Samadhi (Superconscious State): Absorption, ultimate freedom (Kaivalya).
The last three—Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi—are Antaranga Yoga (internal), while the first five are Bahiranga Yoga (external).
2.7. Yogic Concept of Mental Well-being
Patanjali Yoga emphasizes mental well-being. It highlights the importance of a calm, purified mind for advancing towards meditation, resisting the vrittis (modifications of the mind) that cause suffering.
Practices for mental hygiene include:
- Chitta Prasadana: Achieving peace/tranquility in mind.
- Pratipaksha Bhavana: Cultivating positive thoughts to overcome negatives.
- Anitya Bhavana: Awareness of impermanence to overcome grief.
- Sakshi Bhavana: Witnessing consciousness.
Conclusion
This comprehensive framework from the Patanjali Yoga Sutras provides a profound path for self-realization and mental mastery, forming a cornerstone of Yogic philosophy and practice.
Ready to embark on your yogic journey? Let the wisdom of Patanjali be your guide to inner peace and ultimate freedom!