Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (pronunciation: yo-ga soo-tras of pa-tan-ja-lee) is a collection of 196 Indian sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga. The Yoga Sutras were compiled by the sage Patanjali, who synthesized and organized knowledge about yoga from older traditions.

Etymology

The term "Yoga Sutras" is derived from the Sanskrit words "Yoga" and "Sutra". "Yoga" (pronunciation: yo-ga) is a spiritual, mental, and physical practice that originated in ancient India. The word "Yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root "Yuj", which means to join, to unite, or to attach. "Sutra" (pronunciation: soo-tra) is a Sanskrit word that means thread or string. In Indian literary traditions, it also refers to an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual.

Related Terms

Yoga: A physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.
Sutra: An aphorism or a collection of aphorisms in the form of a manual.
Patanjali: An ancient Indian sage who compiled the Yoga Sutras.
Samadhi: The state of meditative consciousness. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes this as the ultimate goal of yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga: The eightfold path of Yoga described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It consists of Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), Asana (yoga postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption).
Yama: The first limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to moral restraints.
Niyama: The second limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to observances or disciplines.
Asana: The third limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to physical postures.
Pranayama: The fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to breath control.
Pratyahara: The fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to withdrawal of the senses.
Dharana: The sixth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to concentration.
Dhyana: The seventh limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to meditation.
Samadhi: The eighth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, referring to absorption or superconscious state.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Wikipedia's article - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali