Patanjali Yoga Sutras

1. Definition of Yoga

Yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ
Yoga = Stilling the fluctuations of the mind.

Yoga is not about physical postures or breathing techniques primarily — it's about controlling the restless mind.

2. The Problem

Mind is scattered by five types of mental fluctuations:

• Restlessness (uddharika) - inability to stay focused
• Doubts (vicikitsa) - uncertainty and confusion
• Laziness (styana) - mental and physical inertia
• Craving (raga) - attachment to pleasure
• Fear (dvesha) - aversion to pain
• Wrong perception (viparyaya) - misunderstanding reality

These create suffering (duhkha) and prevent us from seeing things as they really are.

3. The Eight Limbs (Ashtanga Yoga)

Patanjali's complete system for achieving yoga:

1. Yama – Ethics (non-violence, truth, non-stealing, moderation, non-greed)
2. Niyama – Personal discipline (purity, contentment, austerity, self-study, surrender)
3. Asana – Steady posture (comfortable seat for meditation)
4. Pranayama – Regulating breath (control of life force)
5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal from sense distractions
6. Dharana – Concentration (one-pointed focus)
7. Dhyana – Meditation flow (continuous awareness)
8. Samadhi – Oneness / absorption (union with the divine)

The first five limbs purify and prepare; the last three constitute actual meditation practice.

3.1 The Five Koshas (Layers of Being)

The human being consists of five interconnected layers, from gross to subtle:

Yoga works through all five koshas, starting from the physical body and moving inward toward spiritual awakening.

3.2 The Nadi System (Subtle Energy Channels)

The three main nadis (energy channels) that carry prana through the subtle body:

Sushumna (central channel) carries kundalini energy upward. Ida (left, lunar) governs cooling and receptive energies. Pingala (right, solar) governs heating and active energies. The chakras represent energy centers along the Sushumna.

3.3 The Seven Chakras (Energy Centers)

The seven main chakras are energy centers along the spine that correspond to different aspects of consciousness and physical function:

7. How the Mind Transforms

Through two essential practices:

• Abhyasa (practice) - consistent, dedicated effort
• Vairagya (detachment) - letting go of attachment to results

Both together purify consciousness and reveal our true nature. Practice without detachment leads to ego; detachment without practice leads to laziness.

8. Obstacles & Solutions

9. Goal of Patanjali's Yoga

The ultimate aim is liberation (kaivalya):

• Freedom from suffering - cessation of mental fluctuations
• Realization of true Self - seeing beyond ego and mind
• Stability and clarity - unwavering peace of mind
• Bliss and liberation - union with pure consciousness

This is not about supernatural powers or physical perfection — it's about fundamental freedom from mental suffering.