Patanjali Yoga Sutras

Question 1

What are the 4 sections of the Sutras called?

Answer 1

1. Portion on Contemplation (samadhi pada)
2. Portion on Practice (Sadhana pada)
3. Portion on Accomplishments (vibhuti pada)
4. Portion on Absoluteness (kaivalya pada)

Question 2

When did Sti Patanjali live?

Answer 2

Not known exactly, or even if he was a single person or several persons using the same title

Question 3

What does the portion of contemplation (samadhi pada) of the Sutras give us?

Answer 3

1st of the 4 sections of the Sutras

• theory of yoga
• description of most advanced stages of the practice of samadhi, or contemplation.

Question 4

Why may the portion of contemplation (samadhi pada) been the 1st in the 4 sections of the Sutras?

Answer 4

May have been given 1st as an inspiration to the student to begin the practices.

Question 5

What is the estimated date of the Sutras?

According to book & Gayatri?

Answer 5

Book- 5,000 b.c. to 300 a.d.

Gayatri- 50 to 200 c.e. Classical age of yoga

Question 6

Did Patanjali “invent” Raja Yoga?

Answer 6

No he systematized it & compiled the already existing ideas & practices.

Question 7

Who is Patanjali considered?

Answer 7

Father of Yoga

Question 8

What is the basis for all of the various types of meditation & yoga which flourish today in their myriad of forms?

Answer 8

Patanjali’s Sutras

Question 9

What does the portion of practice (sadhana pada) of the Sutras give us?

Answer 9

2nd of the 4 sections of the Sutras

-1st 5 steps out of the traditional 8 limbs of Raja Yoga are expounded along with their benefits, obstacles to their accomplishment & ways to overcome the obstacles.

Question 10

What does the portion on the accomplishments (vibhuti pada) of the Sutras give us?

Answer 10

3rd section of the 4 sections of the Sutras

• discusses the final 3 inner steps of Raja Yoga.
• discusses the powers and accomplishments which could come to the faithful practitioner.

Question 11

What does the portion of absoluteness (kaivalya pada) of the Sutras give us?

Answer 11

4th -last- section of the Sutras

-discusses yoga from a more cosmic, philosophical viewpoint.

Dictionary.com
Cosmic:
1. of or relating to the cosmos: cosmic laws.
2. characteristic of the cosmos or its phenomena: cosmic events.
3. immeasurably extended in time and space; vast.
4. forming a part of the material universe, especially outside of the earth.

Cosmos:

1. The world or universe regarded as an orderly, harmonious system.
2. a complete, orderly, harmonious system.
3. order; harmony.

Question 12

How many Sutras are there?

Answer 12

Almost 200

Traditionally divided into 4 sections

Question 13

Sutra literally means?

Answer 13

“Thread”

Each sutra being the barest thread of meaning upon which a teacher might expand by adding his/her own “beads” of experience for the sake of the student.

Question 14

What is the primary text of Raja Yoga?

Answer 14

Yoga sutras of Patanjali

Sometimes alao called:

• Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
• Yoga Darsana

Question 15

Traditionally, the word yoga by itself refers to?

Answer 15

Raja Yoga

The mental science

Question 16

What is the SUBJECT MATTER of the ancient science Raja Yoga?

Answer 16

What is consciousness?

Can we turn within ourselves to study & understand, perhaps control the mind?

Question 17

Hatha yoga was primarily designed to?

Answer 17

Facilitate the real practice of yoga, namely:

• the understanding & complete mastery over the mind
• so the actual meaning of yoga is the science of the mind.

Question 18

What is hatha yoga?

Answer 18

Physical yoga