The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali is a collection of 196 Indian sūtras, or aphorisms, composed in approximately 400 AD by Patañjali. He compiled the book from older materials from two different traditions – the “eight limb yoga” known as ashtanga yoga, also raja yoga, and action yoga, also known as karma yoga. The aphorisms and accompanying commentary constitute the Pātañjalayogaśāstra, which is best translated as “The Treatise on Yoga according to Patañjali".  Yoga Sutras is divided in to four books or padas: Samadhi Pada (51 sutras) describes a blissful state  whereby the yogi is absorbed into the One; Sadhana Pada (55 sutras) discusses practices and discipline; Vibhuti (56 sutras) discusses the manifestations of powers brought about by yoga; and Kaivalya Pada (34 sutras) discusses isolation in the sense of emancipation and liberation. He outlines the system of ashtanga yoga consisting of eight limbs, five of which are external aids to yoga and three of which are internal aids. The Yoga Sutras synthesized the teachings of many philosophical systems and rest on the orthodox Hindu philosophy of Samkhya. The world and its phenomena are classified into 25 sattvas, or principles, and all activity can be seen to lie within the realm of the Gunas of Sattva (illumination), Rajas (passion) and Tamas (lethargy).

Play sample: 

Download a PDF datasheet