Many of us struggle to get a grip of our lives and make sense of our surroundings, and seek clarity about ourselves and the world around us. While everybody else seems to be working on different ways to figure out life through different modalities, the vedic wisdom of India, since the past many thousands of years, has had a complete and systematic science to solve this problem – the Yog Sutras of Patanjali.
196 in number, and divided into four chapters, these sutras answer most of the questions that we all have, at one or the other stage of our life and we seek answers to! The main intent of these sutras is to help us see the outer reality, as it is, without lenses, and at the same time, be deeply connected with our inner reality. These sutras, help us make sense of ourselves if we are willing to look at it with the right expectations and if we are ready to work on it.
Patanjali approaches these sutras as a scientist would – being very direct and terse. These sutras are presented in the same way as a scientist would present an equation, whose meaning has to be expanded, layer by layer. Each sutra is loaded with knowledge and has to be internalised and lived, for one to capture its essence and wisdom.
I have deeply benefitted from these Sutras and hence attempt to share my understanding of the same. I do not claim to be an authority on the subject, however, I am blessed to have gained my understanding from very eminent teachers, who are at the top of their fields, and I plan to share a few of these teachings with you. My approach towards these sutras is not a classical one, but I do have a very unique and creative perspective, where I explore the sutras from a very contemporary lens and wish to convey what I have lived, breathed and enjoyed!
Without wasting words, in the first Sutra itself, Patanjali embarks on this journey of Self realization. The first sutra, heralds the learning.
अथ योगानुशासनम् ॥१॥
Atha yoga anushasanam 1.1
Now, the Discipline of Yog. This is the first sutra, and is known as the Pratigya Sutra. I explain this sutra here, as a beginning of a series of posts where I will elaborate on each sutra per post. This is for anybody to absorb and change their perspective on life, and thereby change their. In other words, this is what I teach in the Swarodaya session, and is for all humanity to absorb and benefit from…
Atha means Now. It refers to the beginning of the study – the study of the Self; the beginning of becoming aware of inner reality and the reality of the outer world. This knowledge is for the one who is seeking answers and ways to know the Self better, and has an open mind. This knowledge is such that it may not be appreciated by a novice nor shall it make sense to a novice. It is for a mature individual, who has been wandering for answers for quite some time and hence shall be able to appreciate it and approach it with the needed seriousness and commitment.
Yog refers to Union. The union referred here is the union between our outer reality and our inner one. The union of breath, body and mind, that holds no duality and fills our being with serenity and harmony. It is something very similar to the state that we experience when we are with our loved ones or when we are very passionately involved with something that brings us Joy. It is a state where we are complete into, and with totality. It is a state that fills us with joy, serenity, clarity and ease. This state of complete unity or totality, is Yog.
And then, there is Anushasanam. Anushasanam refers to Discipline. It is a systematic approach that one needs to adopt to yield the desired result. An approach filled with commitment, practice, and dedication.
Hence, with the first sutra, we embark on a life changing journey, with Patanjali, with an open mind, and with a commitment to practice.
Thus, Atha Yoga Anushasanam.
