Patanjali's Yoga Sutra at a Glance

     The word yoga is derived from the root Yuj (युज्) which means to join. Connecting yourself to the God is yoga. The commentary of Vyasa on Yoga sutra, named Vyasbhashya, defines yoga as Samadhi - a state of intense concentration achieved through meditation. The composer of Yogasutra is Patanjali who was also a grammatician. The yoga of Patanjali is known as Patanjalyoga or Rajayoga. This Rajayoga is the theme of Patanjali’s entire scripture namely Yogasutram.

   Patanjali has compressed the essential philosophy and the technique of yoga in a systematic manner in the Yoga Sutras. The treatise is divided into four sections namely Samadhi pada, Sadhana pada, Vibhuti pada and Kaivalya pada. The first section namely the Samadhi pada deals with the general nature of yoga and its techniques. It is meant really to answer the question- What is yoga? The second section namely Sadhana pada deals with the philosophy and is meant to provide an answer to the question - Why should anyone practice Yoga? Here, the analysis of the conditions of human life, misery and sufferings is given. The five limbs of yoga namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara which are external, are dealt with in Sadhana pada. The third section namely Vibhuti pada deals with the remaining three limbs of yoga- Dhyana, Dharana, Samadhi, which are referred to as internal limb. The powers are acquired through these three. Though these have been described in detail, yet Patanjali definitely asserts that these are to be regarded as ‘powers’ only as long as the man is in an ordinary worldly state, they are obstacles in the way of the accomplishment of the higher, pure communion. The fourth and the last section namely Kaivalya pada deals with the liberation. Patanjali has given all those essential philosophic problems which are involved in the study and practice of yoga. The nature of the mind and mental perception of desire and its binding effects are dealt briefly.


   Aspirants to Yoga are divided into three classes- 1. Arurukshu- one aspiring to climb, 2. Yunjana- one actually engaged in the practice and 3. Yogaruuha- one who has attained Yoga. For each of these, distinct methods or rules to be followed are given. For the highest class people, Yogaruuha, only constant practice and dispassion are needed. For the second class Yogin, that is Yunjana, it has been prescribed what may be called Yogic discipline. It consists of 1. Simplicity, 2. Study of work dealing with liberation and 3. Devotion to God. It helps to reduce five Kleshas or obstacles namely Ignorance, Egoism, Attachment, Aversion and Clinging to life. For the aspirant of the lowest class, Arurukshu, the man of the ordinary life, there are eight limbs of Yoga.
   
     Thus, a Yoga aspirant will find a good amount of theoretical and practical knowledge in Yoga Sutra. Everything necessary for the understanding of the subject has been given by Patanjali. But it is up to the aspirant to practice it. Nowadays, our life is full of tension and stress which is not good for our health. The mind is disconnecting from our body. Pranayama and Asanas in Yoga not only reduce the burden on the mind and enable us to tackle with stress and tension but also it rebuilds the connection between body and mind. Sage Patanjali suggests Dhyaan, Dharana and Samadhi for the peace of mind and also to control our mind. Really, Yoga is very helpful to live life better.