The Importance of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

by Erica Cheok
Caption: The Sage Patanjali is depicted with serpents. The myth of Patanjali says that he is the incarnation of the Serpent-God, Adisesa. He is a follower of Lord Shiva and so wanted to spread the message of Yoga that when he heard a Yogi mother crying out for a child, he came to her as a son.

The Yoga Sutras is an ancient sutra or guide that is considered the bedrock to many yoga practitioners. Taking the time to read this short text is considered one of the most important steps in a yogic practice and should not be overlooked. The wisdom contained in the 196 verses contained within are inspiring and eye opening to the truth of the practice of YOGA. This sutra literally lies out the steps towards Samadhi or Nirvana.

This Classic Yoga guide was written over 2 thousand years ago. It is believed that not one man is credited to its genius but that many people assumed the author name of “Patanjali’ and refined this sutra into what we know today. This book is used in every-single-yoga teacher training and lays out the ethics and mindset a yogi needs to cultivate to see quick progress towards Samadhi.

Two Thousand years ago, Yoga was a system of meditation and a method to gain control over the senses.  Today it is so much more. So much so that the original messaging can get lost in the asana practice.Yoga translates “TO YOKE” which means to connect with the Highest Self. We gain insight on how to achieve this Yoga in the Yoga Sutras as well as our physical practice.

The Yoga sutras comprises of the 8 Limbs of Yoga which serve as a guide to how best to achieve union of mind, body, and spirit according to the ancient sages. The Union described is a union of Mind, Body, and Spirit with the Divine Self. This can mean God, a Supreme Creator, Your Highest Self, Your True Nature, Etc.

A quick synapsis of the The 8 Limbs of Yoga is provided below:

The 8 Limbs of Yoga*

1.) Yamas (Wise characteristics for the outer practice of yoga AKA The 5 “Abstentions”)

  1. Ahimsa – Non-harming
  2. Satya – Commitment to Truth
  3. Asteya – Non- Stealing
  4. Brahmacharya – Merging with God/ Higher Consciousness/ Desires align with greatest good (sometimes also referred to as Sexual Purity I some schools)
  5. Aparigraha – Non- Grasping

2.) Niyamas (Codes for living Soulfully AKA The 5 “Observances”)

  1. Shaucha – Cleanliness
  2. Santosha – Contentment
  3. Tapas – Embracing the spiritual practice
  4. Svadhayaya – Regular Study of Spiritual Texts
  5. Ishvara Pranidhana – Prayers to the Guru

3.) Asana  (We now know this as our modern physical practice, but 2000 years ago this meant simply a meditation posture that felt comfortable and could be maintained for the duration of meditation… multiple Yoga postures became more common around the 12th century with the  Hatha Yoga Pradipika).

4.) Pranayamas (Breath Control techniques)

5.) Pratyahara (Withdrawl of the senses in Meditation)

6.) Dharna  (Focus in Meditation)

7.) Dhyana (Fixation in Meditation)

8.) Samadhi (Perfect Meditation)

The Limbs are not necessarily meant to be followed in order and are not meant to be fully actualized before any of the other limbs. The beauty of Yoga is in the journey. The waters are deep and paths many. This sutra is just the tip of the iceberg. The average reader can finish the text in about five hours and benefit from it for years to come. Get your copy today and expand your yoga practice 10 Fold. 

*This outline guide above is not meant to be a substitute for reading the sutras yourself. There is much more inside of the sutras besides the 8 Limbs, as well as more in-depth explanation on how to achieve yoga in each Limb. 

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