Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Who was Patanjali?
Patanjali was great synchronizer of yoga sutra
The period of patanjali is considered as 250 B.C. to 250 A.D.
Before Patanjali also yoga was prevailed but he has given scientific, systematic, rational and logical form of yoga.
Four Pada of Patanjali Yoga Sutras
Samadhi Pada
Samadhi pada- it gives explanation of immediate purpose of yoga and method for attainment (51 sutra)
Sadhana Pada
Sadhana pada- it explains yoga philosophy and kriya yoga and astang yoga (55 sutra)
Vibhuti Pada
Vibhuti pada- it gives great details about supernatural power which can be achieved by the way of yoga ( 55/56 sutra)
Kaivalya Pada
Kaivalya pada- it gives explanation of ultimate purpose ( liberation) ( 34 sutra)
Pranayama – physiological view
Patanjala Yoga Sutra
P.Y.S. is unique ancient literature available to mankind
In only 195 sutra ( verse) he has describe entire yoga philosophy, along with its practices, concepts, advantage, way for liberation also. So each word holds utmost importance in P.Y.S.
Pranamaya kosha (Physiological Body)
There is pain and suffering in life- that should be avoided- ( heya)
There must be cause of pain and suffering ( heyahetu)
Removal of pain is possible ( hana)
There are ways to remove pain and suffering
(hanopaya)
This is the same approach buddha has explained his philosophy.
Atha yoganushasanam
Now begins the discipline way of yoga.
Yogascittavritti nirodhadh
Citta- no equivalent word in english
its mind + intelligent +ego
Vritti- tendenancy
Nirodh- cessation
Vrittis are five and of two type
Five vrittis
- Pramana– experiences through right knowledge
- Viprayaya– experience through knowledge
- Vikalpa– experience through imagination
- Smriti– experience through past
- Nidra– experience gained in the sleep.
Five vrittis
Isvara is philosophical god not mythological god
Omnipresent and omniscient
Free from result of all kind of action
Aumkar is sound manifestation of isvara
Five vrittis
Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam
Way for cessattion of cittavritti
Abyas and vairagya
Isvarapranidhana
Shraddha, virya, smriti, samadhi pragna
Abyas and vairagya
- Abyas– regular and continuous practice with receptive attitude of any element of individual’s liking.
- Vairagya– attitude of the detachment from the worldly and non-worldly objects ( not living the objects but separation on perceptual and conceptual plane)
Antaraya
- Vyadhi– disease
- Styana– mental lazziness
- Samsaya– doubt
- Alasya– lazziness
- Pramad– tendency towards comfort
- Avirati– attachment
- Bhrantidarsana– delusion
- Alabadh bhaumiktva– not attaining desired state
- Anavasthitatva– not maintaining desired state
Citta prasadana
Vikshepa sahbhuva
They work on physiological level
Dukha – pain
Daurmansya – depression
Angmeyajayatva – tremors of the body
Svasa prasvasa – alteration in breathing
Citta prasadana method
- 1st method – By developing friendliness towards pleasure, compassion towards pain, gladness towards virtue and aloofness towards vice
- 2nd method – By the way of exhalation and retension of breath ( pranayama)
- 3rd method – By focusing mind on particular objects, which is generally full of sense experience.
- 4th method – By griefless illumination
- 5th method – On continual remeberance or meditation of person who has transcended Citta prasadana
- 6th method – Experience gained by dreamless sleep,
- 7th method – Through meditation on one’s liking
Eight limb of Astang Yoga
Yama
Niyama
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dhyana
Samadhi
Pranayama – physiological view
1 – Yama
yamas are five they are mahavratas, they are don’t s, they are social conduct also
- satya ( truthfulness)
- Ahimsa ( non-violance)
- Asteya (non- stealing)
- Brahmacharya ( devine routine)
- Aparigrah (non- possessiveness)
2 – Niyama
niyamas are five they are do’s they are personal conduct.
- Sauca- ( cleanliness)
- Santosa ( contentment)
- Tapas ( austerity)
- Svadhyaya ( self- study)
- Isvaraparidhana ( devotion to the god)
3 – Asana
steady and comfortable postures, which is effortless and your concentration becomes infinite.
4 – Pranayama
a willful alteration of breathing which leads to automatic stoppage of breath.
5 – Pratyahara
withdrawal of sense organ
6 – Dharana
a willful concentration of mind on the one objects.
7 – Dhyana
Meditation, a natural state of mind where mind becomes stable on one object without any effort.