The yoga sutra-s are
considered the most authoritative of yoga texts. Authored by Patanjali,
this work presents all the concepts of yoga in 195 aphorisms. Such is
the respect given to this work that all great yogi-s acknowledged this
work when they presented their own teaching. There is a popular saying
that "what is not mentioned in the yoga sutra-s is either not yoga,
or probably not important at all". An understanding of the yoga sutra-s
is necessary for any serious student of yoga. To help the many yoga
enthusiasts of the modern world, we would like to share the teachings
of the yoga sutra through this section. In this section we offer one
sutra every week (updated every Saturday), with its translation by TKV
Deskachar. The section will also feature an audio recital of the yoga
sutra by Mekhala Desikachar.
Chapter IV.1
Exceptional mental capabilities my be achieved by : genetic
inheritance, the use of herbs as prescribed in the vedas, reciting
incantations, rigorous austerities and through that state of mind which
remains with its object without distractions (samadhi).
Some people are born with extraordinary capabilities.
The vedas describe various rituals where by the taking of herbal
preparations in a prescribed way can change the person's personality.
Different kind of incantations, appropriately initiated by competent
teachers can bring positive changes. The ancient scriptures record the
great achievements of those who went through severe austerities. Finally
these are the possibilities for those who gradually change their minds
from a state of distraction to one of sustained direction. These are
mentioned in abundance in the third chapter and elsewhere. Whether any
particular one of these alternatives is to be preferred will be examined
in Sutras IV-6,7 and 8.
The yoga sutra-s are
considered the most authoritative of yoga texts. Authored by Patanjali,
this work presents all the concepts of yoga in 195 aphorisms. Such is
the respect given to this work that all great yogi-s acknowledged this
work when they presented their own teaching. There is a popular saying
that "what is not mentioned in the yoga sutra-s is either not yoga,
or probably not important at all". An understanding of the yoga sutra-s
is necessary for any serious student of yoga. To help the many yoga
enthusiasts of the modern world, we would like to share the teachings
of the yoga sutra through this section. In this section we offer one
sutra every week (updated every Saturday), with its translation by TKV
Deskachar. The section will also feature an audio recital of the yoga
sutra by Mekhala Desikachar. 