Yoga Sutra -Brief Introduction

Yoga is the 6th Darshana that has come with simplicity and suitable to all, within built secularism. It has been given to mankind by Sage Patanjali.

It has 4 chapters, called as PAdA , meaning a chapter. 

1. Samadhi pada has 51 sutras. This helps to contemplate and promotes the seeker, the student, to start looking deeply into himself or herself. This also is seen as a goal setter, to guide us towards spiritual life. 
2. Sadhana pada has 55 sutras. This helps to practice. Sadhana means, to practice, towards the goal. Here the goal is Yoga.
3. Vibhuti pada has 55 sutras. This chapter talks about properties and powers one may get by practicing, yet it also alerts the practitioner not to get distracted by these powers but to stay focused on the final goal.
4. Kaivalya Pada has 34 sutras. Kaivalyam is to get liberated and thus it talks about emancipation and freedom. Freedom from all bondages and freedom for the self. 

These 4 pAdas also has relationship to the four Varnas and Asramas of one’s life. The Trigunas and the stage where one crosses the trigunas (that are discussed in our workshop on “why should we learn and practice Yoga tools?”)

Here, I, UV do my pranam to our teachers and to my guru Sri Desikachar for his suksma presence always.

Also, I wish to add that the content is shared here, with whatever understanding, observation, experience is there as of today, as it is typed now. Thus it may change. Any view of your own is respected and appreciated.