Pada 1, Sutra 30 Sanskrit Verse Vyadhi-styana-sanshaya-pramadalasyavirati-bhranti-darshanalabdha-bhumikatvanavasthitatvani citta-viksepas te ‘ntarayah Translation Sickness, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, sense addiction, false perception, non-attaining to the stages of Yoga and instability are the distractions of consciousness. These are the obstacles. Interpretation In this verse Rishi Patanjali enumerates the distractions of consciousness and hence the obstacles

Pada 1, Sutra 29 Sanskrit Verse Tatah pratyak-cetenadhigamo ‘pyantarayabhavas ca Translation From that comes the turning inwards of consciousness and the disappearance of obstacles. Interpretation With the conscious chanting repetition of AUM the mind turns inward towards its own inner Self awareness and with it comes the gradual disappearance of the obstacles to that inner awareness (which will be listed in the next sutra or verse). Patanjali has already defined in Sutra 2 w

Pada 1, Sutra 28 Sanskrit Verse Taj-japas tad-artha-bhavanam Translation The repetition of OM with contemplation upon its meaning. Interpretation All Sadhana must be done with full awareness and understanding to have any real effects. The attitude and aptitude to refine within us should be our Intention (attitude) and our Attention (aptitude). That coupled with the assistance of the 3 Rs of any Sadhana being Repetition, Regularity and Rhythm together with patience, persever

Pada 1, Sutra 27 Sanskrit Verse Tasya vacakah pranavah Translation The expression of that (Ishwara) is the Pranavah (OM) Interpretation The expression of the Word as God (Ishwara) is both universal and transcultural. Just as an idea/a concept is formulated by language which is composed of words which originates first in the mind and then communicated either vocally or in symbol form called writing, likewise both expression of Consciousness and manifestation (such as the univ

Pada 1, Sutra 26 Sanskrit Verse Sa purvesam api guruh kalenanavacchedat Translation Ishwara, being unlimited by time, is also the Teacher of the ancients. Interpretation Ishwara or God is the First Teacher of humanity and therefore the Guru of all Gurus, the Teacher of all teachers from the beginning to the end of time as He Himself is the embodiment of Knowledge that is unsurpassed. Highest praise therefore to the Light of Knowledge and Divine Wisdom embodied in the Guru S