Pada 1, Sutra 17 Sanskrit Verse Vitarka-vicaranandasmita-rupanugamat samprajnatah Translation Discerned cognitive absorption (or Samaprajnata Samadhi) is accompanied by observation, reflection, feeling of bliss and sense of ‘I am’. Interpretation Cognitive or enstatic absorption arises when we cease to identify with the fluctuations/whirlpools of the mind-stuff. Notice that the term employed here is ‘enstatic’ versus ecstatic implying a purely internal process. The level o

Pada 1, Sutra 16 Sanskrit Verse Tat param purusa-khyater guna-vaitrsnyam Translation The superior aspect of non-attachment is ceasing desiring for the primary constituents of Nature (Gunas) due to the individual identifying with the Self. Interpretation The Self is our true, immortal and eternal identity. It does not fluctuate in its remembrance or in its connection to All That Is. The Gunas are the material modes of Nature and due to the dynamism of Nature are in a consta

Pada 1, Sutra 15 Sanskrit Verse Drstanusravika-visaya-vitrsnasya vasikara-sanjna vairagyam Translation Non-attachment is the sign of mastery of one who is not clinging to what is seen or heard. Interpretation There should be only one attachment and that is attachment to the Self within. The difficulty is that we are either not aware of that True Presence (the Self within) because of our incessant inner chatter and false identification and captivation with the ephemeral (lik

Pada 1, Sutra 14 Sanskrit Verse Sa tu dirgha-kala-nairantarya-satkarasevito drdha-bhumih Translation Practice becomes firmly grounded when attended to for a long time, without interruption and with earnest devotion. Interpretation Another dictum would be: anything worth having is worth working towards. And since the habit of our mind has been to be outwardly focused, being enticed by the senses, to constantly oscillate and be in a regular state of agitation and cogitation it

Pada 1, Sutra 13 Sanskrit Verse Tatra sthitau yatno ‘bhyasah Translation Practice is the effort for being firmly established in that state (of the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff). Interpretation Everything in life takes practice and experiencing and becoming established in the state of Yoga or the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff is no different. Yoga is both an art and a science. It is an art in the sense that it requires skillful application