🧘darshana
Patanjali Yoga Sutras
पातञ्जलयोगसूत्राणि
Author: Maharishi Patanjali • Period: c. 400 CE
Organized into 196 concise aphorisms across four padas (chapters), Patanjali codifies the psychology of consciousness, the causes of suffering (kleshas), the systematic meditation practices, and liberation.
Key Doctrinal Highlights
✦Yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind-field (Citta-Vṛtti-Nirodha)
✦Ashtanga Yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi
✦Overcoming the five Kleshas (ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, fear of death)
✦Kaivalya: The absolute liberation and luminous isolation of the Purusha
📚Chapters & Contents (अध्यायाः)
4 Chapters Available1
Samadhi Pada
51 Versesसमाधिपादः
Defines yoga, mind modifications, practice (Abhyasa), detachment (Vairagya), and stages of meditative absorption.
2
Sadhana Pada
55 Versesसाधनपादः
Kriya Yoga, kleshas, karma, and the first five external limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.
3
Vibhuti Pada
56 Versesविभूतिपादः
Internal limbs (Samyama: Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi) and the extraordinary faculties that arise.
4
Kaivalya Pada
34 Versesकैवल्यपादः
The nature of liberation, subliminal impressions (samskaras), and the independence of pure awareness.