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Composed around 400 CE by Maharishi Patanjali, the Yoga Sutras represent the definitive psychological manual on human consciousness, mental stillness, and spiritual liberation.
The 196 aphorisms are systematically structured into four chapters leading from mental diagnosis to complete liberation.
Defines the goal of Yoga as 'Chitta Vritti Nirodha' (stilling the fluctuations of the mind-stuff). Details the 5 Vrittis (mental modifications), Abhyasa (practice) and Vairagya (dispassion), and stages of Samadhi.
Outlines Kriya Yoga (Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishvarapranidhana), the 5 Kleshas (afflictions: Avidya, Asmita, Raga, Dvesha, Abhinivesha), and introduces the first 5 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara).
Explores the internal limbs — Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption), collectively called Samyama. Details spiritual siddhis (powers) and warns against getting trapped by them.
Examines the nature of the mind, karma residue (Samskaras), liberation from cosmic illusion (Maya), and the permanent abiding of Purusha in its own true nature (Kaivalya).
Yoga is the complete stilling of the modifications and fluctuations of the mind-field.
Then the Seer (Purusha) abides in its true, essential self-luminous nature.
Posture (Asana) should be steady, stable, and comfortable.
Practice becomes firmly established when attended to for a long time, without interruption, and with devotion.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are primarily a manual for physical gymnastic Asanas.
Out of 196 sutras, only 3 sutras mention Asana, defining it simply as a steady, comfortable seat for meditation. The remaining 193 sutras deal exclusively with cognitive psychology, meditation, and mind mastery.
Patanjali invented the science of Yoga.
Patanjali did not invent Yoga; he systematized and codified existing ancient Vedic, Upanishadic, and Sramana yogic traditions into a concise, logical handbook.
The Siddhis (powers) described in Vibhuti Pada are the ultimate goal of Yoga.
Patanjali explicitly warns in Sutra 3.38 that Siddhis are obstacles to Samadhi, acting as subtle ego traps that distract the seeker from ultimate liberation (Kaivalya).
There are 196 aphorisms (sutras) divided into 4 chapters or Padas.
Chitta = mind-field; Vritti = thought ripples/fluctuations; Nirodha = stilling/cessation. It means 'the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.'
1. Samadhi Pada (Absorption), 2. Sadhana Pada (Practice), 3. Vibhuti Pada (Powers & Accomplishments), 4. Kaivalya Pada (Liberation).
1. Avidya (Ignorance), 2. Asmita (Egoism), 3. Raga (Attachment), 4. Dvesha (Aversion), 5. Abhinivesha (Clinging to life / fear of death).
Samyama is the combined sequential practice of the three internal limbs — Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation), and Samadhi (Absorption) focused on a single object.
Raja Yoga (Patanjali's system) focuses directly on mental control and meditation. Hatha Yoga (Swatmarama's system) uses physical postures, purifications (Shatkarmas), and prana control to prepare the body for Raja Yoga.