Yoga Sutra I,1: Opening Aphorism

Spirituality
#1

[b]I, 1 Atha yoganusasanam

With great respect and love,
now the blessings of
Yoga instruction
are offered.[/b]

M. Stiles

I liked Sw. Satchidananda’s opinion that the choice of the word ?anusasaman? which means instruction is deliberate because practice is required to achieve the goals of Yoga or union; contemplation of these sutras without implementation will not lead one to the True Self.

Swami Satchidananda. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Buckingham, VA: Integral Yoga Publications. 2004

Comments by Helen Barker
I K Taimni says that Sanskrit works generally begin with a Sutra that gives an idea to the nature of the undertaking. The author (Patanjali) isn?t claiming to be the discoverer of the Science but is trying to condense all the essential knowledge concerning the Science which a student ought to possess.

Regarding the Sutra method of learning he says, ?The necessity of struggling with the words and ideas and digging out their hidden meanings ensures a very thorough assimilation of knowledge and develops simultaneously the powers and faculties of the mind, especially that important and indispensable capacity of digging out of one?s own mind the knowledge which lies buried in its deeper recesses.? Let?s hope so.

Bernard Bouanchaud says that, ?The first term (atha) of the first sutra refers to God, ?. I found this quite disconcerting when I first picked up this translation ? my understanding of yoga was that it is accessible for all ? so starting with God seemed to cut out a lot of students straight away. However, he asks some useful questions e.g. ?Can I openly question the text in a way that does not cast doubt on it??

IK Taimni. The Science of Yoga. The theosophical Publishing House, Adyar 2005

Bernard Bouanchaud. The Essence of Yoga. Rudra Press. 1997

#2

My understanding of the Yogic tradition was that the practices have been passed down from Guru to Student over thousands of years. This Sutra for me is the preperation to learn. Are you sitting comfortabley? Ready and prepared to listen? Then we shall begin. When the student is ready…

“And now the teaching on yoga begins”

Alistair Shearer, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Bell Tower 2002

#3

The Yogic style of ‘Sutra’ is that of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings, which is largely oral and so the writings are specifically precise and brief. This means that for effective study we need a teacher to explain the ‘hidden’ meanings as they have learnt it from their teacher. This is important for me.

#4

Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. B.K.S.Iyengar 1993

page 49
So, this sutra may be taken to mean: the disciplines of intergration are here expounded through experience, and are given to humanity for the exploration and recognition of that hidden part of man which is beyond the awareness of the senses.

#5

Bernard Bouanchaud says that, ?The first term (atha) of the first sutra refers to God, ?.

It’s amazing how much misinformation is disseminated about yoga. Here it’s fairly insignificant, but still wrong. I have two other books that begin with the word [I]atha[/I], the Samkhya-Pravachana-Sutram and the Tattva Samasa. I have three different explanations that agree on its meaning.

From the Samkhya-Pravachana-Sutram:
[ul]
[li][I]Vritti[/I]: Atha: This word conveys the sense of Mangala, an auspicious observance.
[/li][li][I]Bhasya[/I]: - This word, Atha, by its very pronunciation, assumes the form of a Mangala or good omen.
[/li][/ul]

From the Tattva-Samasa (commentary of Narendra):
[I]Atha[/I] signifies a good omen,enquiry, inception of an act, sequence, undertaking…etc…It may be rightly urged that, at the commencement of a book, observance of a good omen is indispensable, as without the observance of a good omen, the completion of the book cannot be expected.

#6

Swami Sridharanandha’s comment on it.

#7

I must admit I am fascinated by this one. The form of a sutra seems to be to say much with few words; to express an essential piece that is not to be forgotten.
I have come to decide that this first one is more an illustration of the whole than a reminder of a piece – the guru speaks it, and demonstrates being in the moment, having intent that is aligned to activity, lacking attachment to the fruits while deliberately providing the effort.

#8

I found an interesting source for a daily yoga aphorisms, nothing special but they send you 1 aphorism avery day. yogasays .com

#9

[QUOTE=liz gardner;2804]
“And now the teaching on yoga begins”
[/QUOTE] This is for sure, but the question is what is exactly yoga. :slight_smile:

#10

[QUOTE=Seeker33;27166]This is for sure, but the question is what is exactly yoga. :)[/QUOTE]
Hi Seeker

yoga means - its a Sanskrit word means connection here we mean that our soul connected with almighty God that is super soul Yoga divided into two parts 1. Sankya Yoga -its Kapil muni but most of the books we have lost some of the books are available its not complete this also the technique that our soul meet with super soul its very difficult its short way & I m sorry no one knows this technique now a days 2. Yoga -Its Patanjali by this technique we connect with super soul

****** Jai Maha Avatar Babaji *******

  • Maruchi