Pada 2, Sutra 55 Sanskrit Verse Tatah paramaa vashyatendriyaanaam Translation From that, perfect mastery of the senses. Interpretation We become the puppet master of our senses when we have the ability to control our mind’s appetite for sensory indulgence. As explained in the prior verse, this can be done when we disconnect from the sensory objects of the senses and internalize the mind to the state of its own luminosity. Reflection Don’t be caught like a deer in the headlig

Pada 2, Sutra 54 Sanskrit Verse Sva-visayaasamprayoge cittasya svaroopaanukaara ivendriyaanaam pratyaahaarah Translation Pratyahara or sense withdrawal is when the senses withdraw from sensory objects turning inward to link with the mind’s essential nature. Interpretation The initial stage of renunciation being withdrawal from the world is really redirecting the mind’s attraction from sensory objects to its own source of perception. It is the lead to being in the world but n

Pada 2, Sutra 53 Sanskrit Verse Dhaaranaasu ca yogyataa manasah Translation And the mind becomes fit for concentration. Interpretation When the Inner Light of Consciousness is revealed then the mind, being an extension of Consciousness itself, becomes fit for concentration as it is no longer disturbed by its own vagaries. Reflection The mind is normally dispersed either externally through its interactions with the senses or internally by its sense of insecurity and emotional

Pada 2, Sutra 52 Sanskrit Verse Tatah ksheeyate prakaashaavaranam Translation As a consequence, the covering of the Inner Light is dissolved. Interpretation Prana, the Life-Force is intimately linked to the Mind. Making this link conscious through the practice of Pranayama or Life-Force control through mastery of the breath results in the mind becoming purified. Once both the physical vehicle (body) and the subtle vehicle (Mind) are stabilized, purified and aligned through

Pada 2, Sutra 51 Sanskrit Verse Baahyaabhyantara-visayaaksepee caturthah Translation The fourth modification of Pranayama transcends both internal and external reference. Interpretation Everything is a preparation for something else. In this case, Rishi Patanjali states that once we have mastered (i.e. maintain full awareness of the breath) and are flowing with the breath through breathing in (external to the internal), breathing out (internal to the external) and breath re

Pada 2, Sutra 50 Sanskrit Verse Baahyaabhyantara-stambha-vrttir desha-kaala-sankhyaabhih-paridrsto deergha-sooksmah Translation Pranayama (Breath Control) is external, internal or suspended in its movements. It is perceived and regulated by place, time and number; it can be protracted or subtle. Interpretation The science and art of Pranayama consists of three phases: inhalation/inspiration (Puraka), exhalation/expiration (Rechaka) and retention/suspension (Kumbhaka). Withi

Pada 2, Sutra 49 Sanskrit Verse Tasmin sati Shvaasa-prashvaasayor gati-vicchedah praanaayaamah Translation When this is achieved (perfection of posture), next is regulation of the breath which is the interruption of the flow of the inhalation and exhalation. Interpretation First we must contain our animal nature by stopping the urge for constant physical movement (offshoot of the evolutionary quirk of ‘eat or be eaten’ therefore do not stay in the same spot for too long othe