I. Sutras

From Patanjali Yoga Sutras

Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah (योग: चित्तवृत्ति निरोधः) (1.2)
- “Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff.”
Tada Drashtu Svarupe Avasthanam (तदा दृष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम्) (1.3)
- “Then the seer abides in his own true nature.”
Heyam Dukham Anagatam (हेयं दुःखमनागतम्) (2.16)
- “Future pain is to be avoided.”
Abhyasavairagyabhyam tannirodhah (अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः) (1.12)
- “Their (the vrittis’) suppression is by practice and dispassion.”
Atha yogānuśāsanam (अथ योगानुशासनम्) (1.1)
- “Now the discipline of yoga.”
Tatrasthitau yatnobhyasah (तत्र स्थितौ यत्नोऽभ्यासः) (1.13)
- “Effort towards steadiness is practice.”
Tatparam Purushakhyater Gunavaitrshnyam (तत्परं पुरुषाख्यातेर् गुणवैतृष्ण्यम्) (1.16)
- “Supreme dispassion comes from knowledge of Purusha (the Self).”
Vrittayah pañcatayyah klishtākliṣṭāh (वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः) (1.5)
- “There are five kinds of vrittis, painful and not painful.”
- Praman, Viparyaya, Vikalpa, Nidra, Smriti (1.6):
  - Pramana (प्रमाण) (1.7): “Right knowledge is direct, inferred, and scriptural.”
  - Viparyaya (विपर्ययः) (1.8): “False knowledge is mistaken perception.”
  - Vikalpa (विकल्पः) (1.9): “Verbal delusion is knowledge based on words alone, without a real object.”
  - Abhava Pratyayalambana Vrttir Nidra (अभावप्रत्ययालम्बना वृत्तिर्निद्रा) (1.10): “Sleep is a state of mind based on the feeling of nothingness.”
  - Anubhūta viṣayāsaṁpramoṣaḥ smṛtiḥ (अनुभूतविषयासम्प्रमोषः स्मृतिः) (1.11): “Memory is the retention of experienced objects.”
Sthira sukham āsanam (स्थिरसुखमासनम्) (2.46)
- “The posture (asana) should be steady and comfortable.”
Prayatna śaithilya ananta samāpattibhyām (प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम्) (2.47)
- “By relaxing effort and meditating on the infinite, posture is mastered.”
Tato dvandva anabhighātaḥ (ततोद्वन्द्वानभिघातः) (2.48)
- “Thereafter, one is undisturbed by dualities.”
Tasmin sati śvāsapraśvāsayoḥ gati vicchedaḥ prāṇāyāmaḥ (तस्मिन्सति श्वासप्रश्वासयोर्गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामः) (2.49)
- “When that (asana) is achieved, control of the inflow and outflow of breath is called pranayama.”
Bahya abhyantara stambha vṛttir deśa kāla saṁkhyābhiḥ paridṛṣṭo dīrgha sūkṣmah (बाह्याभ्यन्तर-स्तम्भवृत्तिर्देशकालसंख्याभिः परिदृष्टो दीर्घसूक्ष्मः) (2.50)
- “The modification of breath may be external, internal, or stopped; regulated by place, time, and number, and thus becomes prolonged and subtle.”
Bahya abhyantara viṣaya ākṣepi caturthaḥ (बाह्याभ्यन्तर-विषयाक्षेपी चतुर्थः) (2.51)
- “There is a fourth pranayama which goes beyond breath and inward or outward attention.”
Deshabandha chittasya dhāraṇā (देशबंधश्चित्तस्य धारणा) (3.1)
- “Concentration is holding the mind on one object, place, or subject.”
Tatra pratyaya ekatānatā dhyānam (त्रयमेकत्र संयमः) (3.2)
- “Meditation is an unbroken flow of consciousness toward that object.”
Tadevartha mātanirbhasam svarūpa śūnyam iva samādhiḥ (तदेवार्थमात्रनिर्भासं स्वरूपशून्यमिव समाधिः) (3.3)
- “Samadhi is when meditation shines forth as the object alone, and the thinker is lost in its object.”
Trayam ekatra samyama (त्रयमेकत्र संयमः) (3.4)
- “The three together (concentration, meditation, absorption) constitute samyama.”
Karma aśukla akṛṣṇam yoginah trividham itaresam (कर्माशुक्लाकृष्णं योगिनस्त्रिविधमितरेषाम्) (4.7)
- “Actions of yogis are neither black nor white; of others, threefold.”

From Brahma Sutras

The Brahma Sutras by Badarayana contain 555 aphorisms, e.g.:
- “Athāto Brahmajijñāsā” (अथातो ब्रह्मजिज्ञासा) – “Now, therefore, the inquiry into Brahman.”
- “Janmādyasya yataḥ” (जन्माद्यस्य यतः) – “From whom, the origin, etc. (of the world).”

Mahavakyas (Sutra-like statements from Vedas)

Prajñānam brahma (प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म) – “Brahman is consciousness.” (Rig Veda)
Tat tvam asi (तत्त्वम् असि) – “That thou art.” (Sama Veda)
Aham brahmāsmi (अहं ब्रह्मास्मि) – “I am Brahman.” (Yajur Veda)
Ayam ātmā brahma (अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म) – “This Self is Brahman.” (Atharva Veda)

II. Mantras

Pranava (OM/AUM)

ॐ – Universal sound, said to represent the entirety of consciousness.
Components: “A” (waking), “U” (dream), “M” (deep sleep).
Chanting “OM” is believed to activate all chakras and bring about meditative awareness.

Soham Mantra

सोऽहम् – (“I am that”)
Inhalation: “SO”, Exhalation: “HAM”
Used as Ajapa Japa (automatic repetition) in breath meditation.

Shanti Mantra (Starting Prayer)

textॐ सह नाववतु।
सह नौ भुनक्तु।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्यिषावहै॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Saha Navavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Viiryam Karavavahai, Tejasvi Navadhitamastu Ma Vidvisaa Vahai, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Meaning: May He protect us both. May He nourish us both together. May we work together with great energy. May our study be illuminating and fruitful. May we not hate each other.

Kalyan Prarthna / Shanti Path (Ending Prayer)

textॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः।
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु।
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत्॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah, Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu, Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Meaning: May all be happy. May all be free from illness. May all see only good things. May no one suffer.

textॐ सर्वेषां स्वस्तिर्भवतु।
सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु।
सर्वेषां पूर्णंभवतु।
सर्वेषां मङ्गलंभवतु॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Sarveshaam Svastir-Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Shaantir-Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Purnnam-Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Mangalam-Bhavatu, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Meaning: May there be well-being, peace, fullness, and auspiciousness for all.

Gayatri Mantra

textॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat

Meaning: We meditate on the divine radiance of that adorable supreme Divine Reality, the source of the three realms (earth, atmosphere, and heavens). May that Divine Light illuminate our intellect.

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

textॐ त्र्यंबकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥

Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam urvarukam iva bandhanan mrtyor mukshiya mamritat

Meaning: We worship the Three-eyed One (Shiva), fragrant and nourishing all beings; may He liberate us from death, for the sake of immortality, even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage to the creeper.

Guru Mantra

textगुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः।
गुरुः साक्षात् परम ब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha Guru Saakshaat ParaBrahma Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha

Meaning: Guru is Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Guru is indeed Parabrahman himself. Salutations to that Guru.

Bhojanat Prak (Before Meals)

textब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना॥

Brahmārpaṇam Brahma Havir Brahmāgnau Brahmāhutam, Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam BrahmakarmaSamādhinah

Meaning: Brahman is the oblation; Brahman is the offering; by Brahman is the offering poured into the fire of Brahman. Brahman verily shall be reached by him who always sees Brahman in action.

Purnamadah Mantra (Wholeness Mantra)

textॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Purnam-Adah Purnam-Idam Purnaat-Purnam-Udacyate, Purnasya Purnam-Aadaaya Purnam-Eva-Avashishyate, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Meaning: That is complete, this is complete. From completeness comes completeness. If we take completeness from completeness, completeness remains. Peace, peace, peace.

Pauranic Mantras

ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya)
ॐ नमो नारायण (Om Namo Narayanaya)
श्री राम जय राम जय जय राम (Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram)
हरे राम हरे कृष्ण (Hare Rama Hare Krishna)

Beej Mantras in Surya Namaskar

Om Hram (Pranamasana, Anahata chakra)
Om Hrim (Hastottanasana/Adho Mukha Svanasana, Vishuddhi chakra)
Om Hrum (Padahastasana, Swadhisthana chakra)
Om Hraim (Ashwa Sanchalanasana, Ajna chakra)
Om Hraum (Adho Mukha Svanasana, Vishuddhi chakra)
Om Hrah (Ashtanga Namaskar, Manipura chakra)
Om Hram (Bhujangasana, Swadhisthana chakra)

12 Mantras of the Sun (Surya Namaskar)

ॐ मित्राय नमः (Om Mitraye Namah): To the friend of all.
ॐ रवये नमः (Om Ravaye Namah): The shining one, cause of all change.
ॐ सूर्याय नमः (Om Suryāya Namah): The dispeller of darkness, responsible for activity.
ॐ भानवे नमः (Om Bhānavaye Namah): The brightest one, who diffuses light.
ॐ खगाय नमः (Om Khagāya Namah): Who moves rapidly in the sky.
ॐ पूष्णे नमः (Om Pūṣṇe Namah): The giver of strength and nourishment.
ॐ हिरण्यगर्भाय नमः (Om Hiranyāya Garbhāya Namah): The golden cosmic self.
ॐ मरीचये नमः (Om Marīcaye Namah): The Lord of rays.
ॐ आदित्याय नमः (Om Ādityāya Namah): The son of Aditi, the cosmic Mother.
ॐ सवित्रे नमः (Om Savitre Namah): The stimulator, the impeller.
ॐ अर्काय नमः (Om Arkāya Namah): The radiant.
ॐ भास्कराय नमः (Om Bhāskarāya Namah): The one who brings light.

III. Shlokas

From Bhagavad Gita

2.47

textकर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ‘stvakarmaṇi

Meaning: You have the right to perform your actions, but not to the fruits thereof. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.

2.48

textयोगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥

yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate

Meaning: Be steadfast in the practice of Yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called Yoga.

2.49

textदूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय।
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः॥

dūreṇa hy-avaraṁ karma buddhiyogād dhanañjaya buddhau śaraṇam anviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ

Meaning: O Dhananjaya, action performed with insight is far superior to action seeking reward; seek refuge in discernment—pitiful are those who are attached to results.

2.50

textबुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते।
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्॥

buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛta-duṣkṛte tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam

Meaning: One equipped with wisdom casts off both good and bad deeds in this life; therefore, strive for Yoga, for Yoga is skill in action.

2.70

textआपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रं आपः प्रविशन्ति यद्वत्।
तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी॥

āpūryamāṇam acala-pratiṣṭhaṃ samudram āpaḥ praviśanti yadvat tadvat kāmā yaṃ praviśanti sarve sa śāntim āpnoti na kāma-kāmī

Meaning: As rivers enter the ocean, which is full and remains undisturbed, likewise the desires enter into a sage, and he obtains peace, not one who is full of desires.

2.55

textप्रजहाति यदा कामान् सर्वान् पार्थ मनोगतान्।
आत्मन्येवात्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञस्तदुच्यते॥

prajahāti yadā kāmān sarvān pārtha manogatān ātmany evātmanā tuṣhṭaḥ sthita-prajñas tadochyate

Meaning: O Partha, when a man abandons all desires of the mind, is satisfied in the self by the self, then he is said to be steadfast in wisdom.

14.5

textसत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः।
निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम्॥

sattvaṃ rajas tama iti guṇāḥ prakṛti-sambhavāḥ nibadhnanti mahā-bāho dehe dehinam avyayam

Meaning: Sattva, rajas, and tamas—these are the gunas, born of nature, bind the immutable soul to the body.

6.17

textयुक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा॥

yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-cheṣṭasya karmasu yukta-swapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā

Meaning: For one who is moderate in eating and recreation, balanced in work, regulated in sleep and wakefulness, Yoga destroys all sorrow.

9.27 (diet and eating)

textयत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्।
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्॥

yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi yaj juhoṣi dadāsi yat yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam

Meaning: Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, whatever austerity you perform, O son of Kunti, do that as an offering to Me.

16.16 (Bhaktas)

textचिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः।
कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्चिताः॥

cintām aparimeyāṃ ca pralayāntām upāśritāḥ kāmopabhoga-paramā etāvad iti niśchitāḥ

Meaning: Beset with immeasurable anxieties ending only with death, they think that the gratification of desire is the highest goal.

From Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP)

2.11

textयावत्स्थितो वायुः तावत् स्थिरं मनः।
यावच्चित्तं स्थिरं तावन्मुक्तिर्नास्ति वायवे॥

yāvat sthito vāyuḥ tāvat sthiraṃ manaḥ | yāvac cittaṃ sthiraṃ tāvan muktir nāsti vāyave

Meaning: As long as the prana (life force) remains in the body, so long will the mind remain steady; when the mind is unsteady, liberation cannot be attained.

2.16 Kumbhaka

textकुम्भको दिवसे चत्वारि कृत्वा प्रयत्नत:।
शन्-शन् मुहुर्तमधिकं संस्थाप्य शनकैरपि॥ १६॥
दिने दिने वर्धयेत् कालं प्रोक्तं प्राणसमाधिना।
कुम्भकस्य क्रियासिद्धौ वायुविनिग्रह: स्मृत:॥

Practice kumbhaka four times a day (dawn, noon, dusk, midnight), gradually increasing to 80 counts per sitting.

2.71

Defines Pranayama’s three acts,

textरेचकः पूरको बन्धः कुम्भकः सुरये विधः।
सहितः केवलश्चैव प्राणायामो द्विधा स्मृतः॥ ७१॥

Pranayama has three components: Rechaka (exhalation), Puraka (inhalation), Kumbhaka (retention). Kumbhaka is of two kinds: Sahita and Kevala.

1.43

textसिद्धासनं सदा पठ्यं प्रथमे योगिनां प्रिये।
द्वितीयं पद्मकं प्रोक्तं तृतीयं स्याच्च भद्रकम्।
चतुर्थं विश्वसम्दृशं।।

द्वादशाब्दसमासेन सिद्धिर्भवति योगिनाम्।
उन्मनीभावसम्पाप्तिर्मुद्रा भावश्च जायते।।

By continually practicing Siddhasana for twelve years, perfection is attained, Unmani Avastha is realized, and all three bandhas are automatically applied.

3.25 (Importance of Maha Mudra, Maha Bandha, Maha Vedha)

textमहामुद्रा महाबन्धो महामेधाश्च योगिनाम्।
महापात्रं समुद्रं च त्रयं तस्मिन् न संशयः।।

Maha Mudra and Maha Bandha are ineffectual without Maha Vedha Mudra.

3.44 (Khechari Mudra)

textकपालकुहरे जिह्वां स्थापित्वा सुसुखं ह्यज।
दृष्ट्वा भ्रूमध्यमत्रैव खेचरी सिद्धिदायिनी।।

Turning the tongue back into the cranial cavity and focusing at the eyebrow center gives health and success.

3.88 (Vajroli Mudra)

Mentions conservation of semen for youth and vigor.

1.60 (Mitahara)

textआर्द्रस्वादुमधुर्नान्नं हरितं सुप्रियं हितम्।
अर्धंशयान्नं भुञ्जीत सिद्ध्यर्थं योगिनो ध्रुवम्॥ ६०॥

Eat food that is sweet, juicy, and pleasant to half the stomach; this is recommended for yogic success.

1.12-13 (Ideal living for Hatha Yogi)

Describes a clean, small hermitage for a hatha yogi.

HYP 1.16 (Sadhaka Tattva)

Describes the six qualities required:

textउत्साहः साहसं धैर्यं तत्त्वज्ञानं च निश्चयः।
जनसङ्गपरित्यागः षड्भिर्यः योगसिद्ध्यति॥

Enthusiasm, courage, perseverance, discriminative knowledge, determination, and aloofness lead to success in yoga.

From Sushruta Samhita (Ayurveda)

Chapter 15, Verse 41

textसमदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलः क्रियाः।
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते॥

sama dosha sama agnischa sama dhatu mala kriyaaha prasanna aatma indriya manaha swastha iti abhidhiyate

Meaning: He who possesses the equilibrium of doshas (humors), digestive fire, tissues, and wastes, whose self, sense organs, and mind are filled with cheerfulness, is called a healthy person (Swastha).

From Gheranda Samhita

GS 5.2

Recommends right place, time, moderate eating, and purification before Pranayama.

GS 5.32

Practice of Pranayama after nadi purification, sitted on proper seat facing East or North.

From Kathopanishad

2.3.11

textतम् योगमिति मन्यन्ते स्थिरमिन्द्रियधारणम्।

Tam yogam iti manyante sthiram indriya dharanam

Meaning: That steady control of the senses is deemed as Yoga.

3.3.4 (Body as Chariot)

textआत्मानं रथिनं विद्धि शरीरं रथमेव तु।
बुद्धिं तु सारथिं विद्धि मनः प्रग्रहमेव च।
इन्द्रियाणि हयानाहुः विषयांश्चेषु गोचरान्।
आत्मेन्द्रियमनोयुक्तं भोक्तेत्याहुर्मनीषिणः॥

Atmanam rathinam viddhi shariram rathameva tu buddhim tu sarathim viddhi manaha pragrahameva cha indriyani hayanaahuh vishayans teshu gocharan atma-indriya-mano-yuktam bhoktety ahur manishinah

Meaning: “Know the Self as the master of the chariot, the body as the chariot, the intellect as the charioteer, the mind as the reins. The senses, they say, are the horses and the sense objects are their paths. One who has the mind, senses, and body under control is the true enjoyer.”