The Yoga Sutras is a foundational text of classical yoga philosophy, attributed to the ancient sage Patanjali, and composed around 400 CE. This concise and profound work consists of 196 aphorisms, or “sutras,” which systematically outline the theory and practice of yoga, offering a path to spiritual enlightenment and liberation (moksha). The Yoga Sutras are divided into four chapters, or padas

  1. Samadhi Pada: This section defines yoga and explores the nature of consciousness, focusing on achieving a state of samadhi—the deep, meditative absorption that leads to union with the divine.
  2. Sadhana Pada: It discusses the practical aspects of yoga practice, introducing the concept of Kriya Yoga (yoga of action) and the eightfold path (Ashtanga Yoga), which includes ethical principles (yamas and niyamas), physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), sensory withdrawal (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and samadhi.
  3. Vibhuti Pada: This chapter elaborates on the supernatural powers, or siddhis, that can arise from advanced yoga practice, while emphasizing that these are mere byproducts of the true goal—spiritual liberation.
  4. Kaivalya Pada: The final chapter addresses the nature of liberation (kaivalya), the ultimate freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth, achieved through the realization of the self’s true nature as distinct from the mind and body.

The Yoga Sutras emphasize the importance of disciplined practice (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya) in overcoming the distractions of the mind and achieving a state of inner peace and clarity. The text serves as a comprehensive guide for those seeking to understand and practice yoga in its fullest sense—not just as a physical exercise, but as a spiritual path leading to the ultimate goal of self-realization.

Over the centuries, the Yoga Sutras have been extensively commented upon by various scholars, including Vyasa, Shankaracharya, and Vijnanabhikshu, each offering interpretations that have shaped different schools of thought within the yoga tradition.

The Yoga Sutras