Structure of Yoga Sutras🔗

This meditative disciple of enlightenment or liberation is also called as Raja Yoga or Royal Yoga. It is called Royal because it is kept secretive from the masses as incorrect use of the techniques may have undesirable effects on an individual and also the society around him. As a side effect of these yogic techniques, a sadhaka also experiences supernatural powers. If these powers fall into the hands of a person who is not capable of handling them, then it might be detrimental to that person and also to the society.

In Patanjali's Yoga, according to me there are eight parts, though usually referred to as eight steps. You may also call it as eight limbs because you need to know all eight at a time; they are not sequential. Even the word ashtanga means eight parts and not eight steps of yoga. Really speaking, you can never do the eight steps sequentially. For example the first part, yama requires you to speak the truth. You can never be honest unless you experience the eighth part Samadhi. Till you experience Samadhi, whatever you say will be either a fact or a lie. A fact is not a truth. Truth as experienced with the senses is fact. Fact when experienced beyond the senses is truth. So really speaking, you can never speak the truth till you experience the eighth step Samadhi as only in Samadhi you get a glimpse of the truth. Now briefly we will introduce all the eight limbs of yoga.

• Yama (Restrain): non-violence, not lying, not stealing, not lusting and non-attachment.
• Niyama (Observances): cleanliness, contentment, disciple, self-study and surrender to God.
• Asana (Postures): Physical postures and exercises.
• Pranayama (Breathing Control): Techniques to control the breath.
• Pratyahara (Sublimation of the senses): Turning the senses inward.
• Dharana (Concentration)
• Dhyana (Meditation)
• Samadhi (Absorption)

Yama means restraint and five restraints are prescribed by Patanjali. We will go in detail over each of them once we start studying the sutras. Niyama means the observances or the rules to be followed and five Niyamas are prescribed. Asana's are a set of physical postures and exercises which would make the body more flexible and supple. Pranayama means the control of breath. The next part is Pratyahara which means sublimation of the senses. This is a very important stage where our senses which are normally directed outward are made to turn inwards. Once that is done, then comes the next stage of dharana or concentration. Where the mind is made to focus and concentrate on some object and when concentration becomes perfect the seeker enters into a stage called Dhyana or Meditation. In this stage the mind of the seeker remains fixed on the object without any deviation or distraction. In the last stage of Samadhi or total absorption, all duality is transcended. The seeker and the object merge and unity is experienced in the ocean of consciousness.

From the point of view of the structure of the text, the yoga sutras are divided into four parts or Padas.

• Samadhi Pada (Contemplation and Meditation)
• Sadhana Pada (The steps to Union)
• Viboothi Pada (Divine powers)
• Kaivalya Pada (Reaching the state of supreme aloneness)

In the first Pada, Patanjali blesses the seeker of the supreme to commence the study of the Yoga Sutras. Then he explains the concept of the mind, intelligence and ego and how one needs to go beyond these three in order to realize ones true self. He further gives a brief introduction to the other three padas.

In the second Pada, Patanjali explains the essentials required to gain yogic wisdom. He first explains the obstacles encountered in the practice. Then he touches upon the importance of nature and the help it provides for attaining self realization. Finally he introduces the reader to the first four limbs of yoga viz. Restraint, Observances, Postures and Breath Control.

In the third Pada, Patanjali explains how the three aspects viz. Meditation, Contemplation and Spiritual Absorbtion have to be integrated. As a result of these yogic practices, some supernatural powers start manifesting in the practioner. Patanjali explains each kind of supernatural power in this pada. Towards the end of this Pada, Patanjali warns the yogic practitioner against the danger of getting caught in the supernatural powers and they being a hindrance in the attainment of enlightenment or self realization.

In the last Pada, Patanjali first explains what is illumination and freedom. Further he discusses concepts like Karma, causation, time and object perception. Finally he concludes explaining how total liberation becomes possible when the Yogi transcends matter, time and all other illusions and reaches the state of Kaivalya (Supreme Aloneness) when nothing more needs to be done.