Scripture · introduction
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: an introduction to the eight limbs of yoga
Long before yoga meant a class and a mat, Patanjali defined it in four words: the stilling of the movements of the mind.
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योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥
yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ
Yoga is the stilling of the movements of the mind.
What it is
The Yoga Sūtras are a compact guide to the mind, made of short aphorisms — sūtra means “thread”. They are arranged in four chapters: on absorption (samādhi), on practice (sādhana), on inner powers (vibhūti) and on freedom (kaivalya). The oldest commentary, attributed to Vyasa, is the traditional key to reading them.
The two keys
Before any technique, Patanjali gives the method that runs through everything: abhyāsa-vairāgyābhyāṁ tan-nirodhaḥ — the mind is stilled through practice and non-attachment (1.12). Practice becomes firm when it is kept up for a long time, without interruption, and with sincerity (1.14).
The eight limbs
यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि ॥
Restraint, observance, posture, breath control, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation and absorption are the eight limbs.
| Limb | Meaning | In daily life |
|---|---|---|
| Yama | Restraints: non-violence, truth, not stealing, moderation, non-possessiveness | How you treat others |
| Niyama | Observances: cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study, surrender to the Divine | How you treat yourself |
| Āsana | Posture — “steady and comfortable” (2.46) | A body you can sit still in |
| Prāṇāyāma | Regulation of the breath | Slow breath, calmer mind |
| Pratyāhāra | Withdrawing the senses | Phone face-down, attention inward |
| Dhāraṇā | Concentration on one point | One task at a time |
| Dhyāna | Meditation, unbroken attention | Staying with that point |
| Samādhi | Absorption | Where the seeker and the sought become one |
A sutra for every day
मैत्रीकरुणामुदितोपेक्षाणां सुखदुःखपुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां
भावनातश्चित्तप्रसादनम् ॥
The mind becomes clear by cultivating friendliness towards the happy, compassion towards the suffering, gladness towards the good, and calm indifference towards wrongdoing.
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Questions people ask
What is the meaning of “yogas chitta vritti nirodha”?
“Yoga is the stilling of the movements of the mind” — Yoga Sutras 1.2, Patanjali’s definition of yoga.
What are the eight limbs of yoga?
Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi (Yoga Sutras 2.29).
Are the Yoga Sutras about yoga postures?
Only a little. Asana is one of the eight limbs, described simply as a posture that is steady and comfortable (2.46). The Sutras are mainly about the mind.