Yoga and Its Aims

Guruji told me to take this topic, when I got bore of writing Bhagavadgita. So I started reading the Yoga Sutras online, but I could understand upto 15 sutras. After I felt my mind is empty, not able to make any meanings to other sutras. Now I have inspired by guruji , I have created this new blog for posting Yoga Sutras of Pathanjali one by one. I pray to God to give me Jnana to understand the these pearls of wisdom given by Pathanjali. I am going to refer 'Pathanjali Yoga Sutras' book written by Swami Prabhavananda.

The simplest meaning of word Sutra is 'thread' of an exposition, the absolute minimum that is necessary to hold it together, unadorned by a single bead of elaboration. Only essential words are used. The entire work had to be memorized, and so it had to be expressed as tersely as possible.

Tha Sutras are built on a foundation of Samkya philosophy and also exhibit the influence of Upanishadic, Buddhist and Jain thought. The five yamas or the constraints of the yoga sutras Pathanjali bear resemblance to the five major vows of Jainism, indicating influences of Jainism. And also the division into the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Second Chapter, Ashtanga yoga) is reminiscent of Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. This shows Buddhism's influence on parts of the Sutras (aphorisms).

Pathanjali divided his sutras into 4 chapetrs(or Pada).

1) Samadhi Pada (on Conteplation)

Samadhi refers to a blissful state where Yogi is absorbed into one.

2) Sadhana Pada (on Spiritual practices)

Sadhana is the Sanskrit word for 'Practice' or 'discipline'. Here the author outlines two forms of Yoga: Kriya (Action)Yoga and Ashtanga (Eightfold or Eight limbed) Yoga.

3) Vibhuti Pada (on Divine Powers)

Vibhuti is the Sanskrit word for 'Power' or 'manifestation'. Super normal powers are acquired by the practice of Yoga, but the temptation of these powers should be avoided and the attention should be fixed only on liberation.

4) Kaivalya Pada (on Realization or liberation)

Kaivalya literally means 'isolation', but as used in the Sutras stands for liberation or moksha, which is the goal of Yoga.

Let us start with the Samadhi pada.

Sutra 1: " Athah Yoganushasanam"

Basically Yoga means 'Union'. A yoga is a method by which an individual may become united with Godhood, the existence, the Reality which underlies this apparent, ephemeral universe. To achieve such a union is to reach the state of perfect Yoga. and one who practices yoga is called a yogi.

My meaning:

The yoga is having the right time to get united with the existence. That is getting the Sadguru at the right time itself is union with the existence. After getting Sadguru there is no time to get united. He will take care of you. Until then one has to come again and again in many lives. Thus one should show gratitude towards existence if he given Sadguru, by the existence in this birth only. This appearance of Sadguru is what we call grace of God.