Yoga Sutras 1.1-1.4
1.1 atha yoga anushasanam - Now, we are blessed with the study of yoga.
atha = now; at this auspicious moment; implying the transition to this practice and pursuit, after prior preparation; implying a blessing at this moment of transition
yoga = of yoga, union; literally, to yoke, from the root yuj, which means to join or to integrate; same as the absorption in samadhi
anu = within, or following tradition; implies being subsequent to something else, in this case, the prior preparation
shasanam = instruction, discipline, training, teaching, exposition, explanation; Shas implies the imparting of teaching that happens along with discipline
Commentary:
There’s a phrase, “when the student is ready the teacher will appear.” Meaning when your frame of mind is ready to receive advice, instruction, new knowledge, or an epiphany, it will happen. So this sutra isn’t just an announcement of “now, let’s do yoga.” There is an understanding that the student is ready and open to learn, we should feel gratitude that this moment has arrived, and there is a teacher present to help unpack the following sutras.
I remember in my Ashtanga days, going to a led class and sitting on my yoga mat waiting for class to begin. Then promptly at class start time, my teacher would march into the room and say with authority “Samasthitii!” and then all the students would eagerly jump up off the floor, immediately end conversations silenced, and stand ready with attention at the top of their yoga mats. This sutra gives me the same feeling. NOW! It’s time for yoga!
1.2 yogash chitta vritti nirodhah - Yoga is the mastery of the functions of the mind.
yoga = union, harmonious balance; literally, to yoke, from the root yuj, which means to join; to join two polarities together such as the individual consciousness and the supreme infinite consciousness, active and passive, internal and external; same as the absorption in samadhi
chitta = of the consciousness of the mind-field; thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and cognition
vritti = operations, activities, fluctuations, modifications, changes, or various forms of the mind-field
nirodhah = regulation, channeling, mastery, integration, coordination, understanding, quieting, calming
Commentary:
If there’s only one sutra that you hold on to, this is the one to remember. Often the age of Classical Yoga is defined by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. This practice of yoga is very focused on the enlightenment of the mind and achieving a state of being beyond time, space, and the physical body. You won’t hear a lot about yoga asana or postures in the sutras. And the few sutras that do talk about asana refer to the meditation seat. Yogis didn’t get interested enough in the energetic potential within the body to write about it until about 1,000+ years later when the Hatha Yoga Pradipika was written. With that said, according to Patanjali in this tradition, this sutra tells us yoga is achieved by mastering the functions of the mind. The ability to calm the ebb and flow of thought by seeing Truth. The mind is a lense through which we see the world. It is a tool. The mind is a double edged sword.The mind is a source of great illumination and also of great frustration. The practice of yoga is a training and discipline regime so that the tool of the mind can discern the difference between what is true and untrue and also for the mind to be the conduit between the infinite, pure consciousness and material world.
So what are these functions of mind? How do we master them? Let’s read on!
1.3 tada drashtuh svarupe avasthanam - Then the seer rests in its own True Nature.
tada = then, at that time; at the time of concentration and meditation
drashtuh = the seer's, of the soul, witness, Atman, Self; from the root drsh, which means to see
svarupe = in its own nature, own form or essence; (sva = own; rupa = form)
avasthanam = stability, settling, remaining, being in a state, resting, standing, lying, abiding; the root stha means to stand
Commentary:
Here is what you get when you master the functions of the mind! You get to rest in your own True Nature! Here you are no longer distressed by the mind’s turmoil or a distorted view of the world. You are crystal clear in seeing your Soul, your capital “S”- Self which philosophers and yogis would argue is peaceful, pure, and divine. The seer achieves samadhi, a state of being where you are full of awareness, free from disturbances, and see things as they truly are, not good or bad.
1.4 vritti sarupyam itaratra - At other times, the seer identifies with the functions of the mind.
vritti = of the operations, activities, fluctuations, modifications, changes, or various forms (of the mind-field)
sarupyam = similarity, assimilation, appearance of, identification of form or nature, conformity with the shape of; the root sa means with, and rupa means form
itaratra = elsewhere, at other times, when not in that state of realization above
Commentary:
Annnnnddd….. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you get caught up in the functions of the mind and we’re not crystal clear and radiant. Sometimes we attach ourselves to our labels such as the provider, the mother, the handstander. Sometimes we get stuck in our bodies and what’s happening in the material world because it’s easier to feel and locate what’s poking your big toe than the subtle poke of fluctuations within the mind. We must be challenged and fail sometimes in order to create that resilience and strength required to achieve yoga. We are human and it’s going to take awhile to practice and cultivate the ability to be in samadhi all the time. Shoot, I’d say getting a glimmer, a fleeting moment of a samadhi is pretty freakin’ awesome and it’s inspirational enough to stay the course.
