Patanjalis Yoga Sutras

Question 1

What is Yoga Sutra 1.1?

Answer 1

atha yoganusasanam - Now you have chosen the journey of Yoga.

Question 2

What is Yoga Sutra 1.2?

Answer 2

yogascittavrttinirodah - Yoga is the control of the fluctuations of the mind.

Question 3

Ahamkara

Answer 3

Ego

Question 4

Vidya

Answer 4

Vidya is a Sanskrit word that means “knowledge,” “clarity” or “higher learning.” Intellectual knowledge obtained through study (apara vidya) and spiritual or higher knowledge (para vidya) that leads to enlightenment, which is the goal of yoga.

Question 5

Define Vritti. What are the 5 vrittis?

Answer 5

Vritti - Mental modifications that disturb the peace

Five varieties of thought patterns - YS 1.6

• Pramanya - Correct knowledge
• Viparyayah - Misconception, incorrect knowledge
• Vikalpah – imagined
• Nidra - Sleep
• Smriti – Memory (same as “citta”)

Question 6

Define Avidya.

Answer 6

Ignorance.

Question 7

5 kleshas

Answer 7

destructive emotions

• Avidya- ignorance;
• Asmita- ego/Selfishness;
• Rajas- attachment/desire;
• Dvesa- dislike/aversion;
• Abhinivesa- source of fear/attachment to life.

Question 8

Sutra

Answer 8

Thread

Question 9

What are the 4 functions of chitta?

Answer 9

• Manas (connected to the world)
• ahamkara (ego)
• buddhi (higher mind)
• citta (memories)

Question 10

What are the yoga sutras?

Answer 10

They are the roadmap for yogis. the bible of yoga. investigates the inner workings of the mind

Question 11

How do Samkyah and yoga relate?

Answer 11

Samkya is the philosophy theory and yoga is the application

Question 12

4 Padas - Chapters

Answer 12

• Samadhi - why
• Sadhana - techniques
• Vibhuti – advanced practices
• Krivalya - awakening

Question 13

8 limbs of ashtanga - YS 2.29

Answer 13

Yama - Abstinence.
Develop harmony with other beings
Niyama - Observance.
Actions for achieving balance within
Asana - Posture Practice.
Pranayama - Breath Practice.
Pratyahara - Sense Withdrawal.
Dharna - Concentration.
Dhyana - Meditation.
Samadhi - Contemplation.
Union with the divine, absorption, superconscious state

Question 14

Yoga Sutra 1.12

Answer 14

We can master our thought patterns through practice and non-attachment

Question 15

Abhyasa

Answer 15

Practice - just show up, do what you can

Question 16

Vairagya

Answer 16

Non-attachment

Question 17

Yoga sutra 1.20 - Others follow a five-fold systematic path of?

Answer 17

1. shradda - trust, faith you are moving in the right direction
2. virya - energy, strength of will
3. smriti - mindful - repeated memory of the path
4. samdhi - deep apsorption of meditation
5. prajna - the pursuit of wisdom

Question 18

Yoga sutra 1.33 – how to behave in relationships

Answer 18

Loving kindness and friendliness towards the happy, compassion for the sorrowful, joy for others and equanimity, or being undisturbed by events and not being drawn into judgement or contempt are the four attitudes that will bring peace of mind.

Question 19

Yoga sutra 2.3 – there are 5 kinds of coloring that are obstacles on our spiritual path (kleshas)

Answer 19

• Avidya - Not seeing
• Asmita - Ego/Selfishness
• Raga - Desire/Attachment
• Dvesa - Aversion/Hate
• Abhinivesa – Fear/Clinging to life

Question 20

Pramanya

Answer 20

Correct knowledge

Vritti

Question 21

Viparyayah

Answer 21

Misconception, incorrect knowledge

Vrtti

Question 22

Vikalpah

Answer 22

imagined

vrtti

Question 23

Nidra

Answer 23

Sleep

Vrtti

Question 24

Smriti

Answer 24

Memory (same as “citta”)

Vrtti

Question 25

5 QUALITIES TO LEAD US TO SAMADHI - 1.20

Answer 25

1. shradda - trust, faith you are moving in the right direction
2. virya - strength of will
3. smriti - mindful - repeated memory of the path
4. samdhi - deep apsorption of meditation
5. prajna - the pursuit of wisdom

Question 26

Five states of mind (citta)

Answer 26

• Kshipta – distrubed, neglected
• Mudha – dull
• Vikshipta – distracted
• Ekagra – one-pointed mind
• Nirodhah – mastered