Pada 2, Sutra 48 Sanskrit Verse Tato dvandvaanabhighaatah Translation From that (relaxed state of Asana), cessation of affliction from the pairs of opposites. Interpretation When both body (through stability and ‘at ease’ with one’s posture) and mind (by going deeper within and surrendering to the posture becoming one with it) are relaxed then absorption into the Here and Now is a possibility. In the true concept of Here and Now, a bridge has first to be made between body an

Pada 2, Sutra 47 Sanskrit Verse Prayatna-shaithilyaananta-samaapattibhyaam Translation Aasana /Posture becomes stable and comfortable due to the relaxation of effort and cognitive absorption with the Infinite. Interpretation Aasana is to consciously go into and hold one posture freezing it in space and time. In order to facilitate this, one initially needs to be mindfully skillful as per Yoga quote in the Bhagavad Gita: “Yoga is skill in action” BG 2.50 to move the differen

Pada 2, Sutra 46 Sanskrit Verse Sthira-sukham aasanam Translation Aasana /Posture should be steady and comfortable. Interpretation Originally Aasana referred to only a sitting position that allowed the body to be steady and comfortable in order not to create disturbance for the mind (through unsteadiness and discomfort) so the Yogin could remain seated for long periods of time to facilitate and maintain a meditative state. A steady body encourages or creates the space for a

Pada 2, Sutra 45 Sanskrit Verse Samaadhi-siddhir Ishvara-pranidhaanaat Translation Through surrender to God/the Lord, perfection in Samadhi or Cognitive Absorption. Interpretation The God / Lord mentioned here is Ishvara, the Transcendental Self (residing in all beings), the Purusha. (the twenty-fifth principle beyond Nature). One way to break the cage of one’s mind is to surrender to a principle much vaster than one’s limited concept of self. When this is done with sinceri