yogsutram means "threads of Yoga" (a compilation of aphorisms on Yoga), its etymology comes from Sanskrit words "yoga" (union, concentration from root 'yuj') and "sutram" (thread, aphorism), and its common transliteration is Yoga Sutras.
The Yogsutram, also known as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, is a foundational text in classical Yoga philosophy. It's a collection of Sanskrit aphorisms (sutras) that lay out the theory and practice of Yoga, traditionally attributed to the sage Patanjali.
Key Aspects of the Yogsutram
Attribution: It's widely believed that the sage Patanjali compiled and organized existing knowledge about Yoga into this text, likely between 500 BCE and 400 CE.
Structure: The Yogsutram is divided into four chapters, or "padas," containing either 195 or 196 sutras. These chapters are:
Samadhi Pada: This section focuses on Samadhi, which is a state of deep meditative absorption and direct perception. It includes the well-known definition of Yoga: "Yogaś citta-vritti-nirodhaḥ" ("Yoga is the restriction of the fluctuations of mindstuff").
Sadhana Pada: This part details the practical aspects of Yoga, including Kriya Yoga (the Yoga of action) and the Ashtanga Yoga (eight limbs of Yoga).
Vibhuti Pada: Here, the text explores the extraordinary powers (siddhis) that can emerge from advanced yogic practice.
Kaivalya Pada: This final chapter discusses liberation (moksha) and the ultimate aim of Yoga, which is the separation of pure consciousness from mental impurities.
Core Teachings: The Yogsutram is most renowned for its explanation of Ashtanga Yoga, the eight-limbed path that guides practitioners towards self-realization and freedom. These limbs are: