Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali

Chapter 2 Title:

साधनपादः

sādhana-pādaḥ

The Chapter on the Means to Accomplish.

Sūtra 1:

तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोगः ॥१॥

tapaḥ svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ ||1||

The activities of Yoga are
self-discipline, self-study and dedication to the lord.

Sūtra 2:

समाधिभावनार्थः क्लेश तनूकरणार्थश्च ॥२॥

samādhi-bhāvana-arthaḥ kleśa-tanū-karaṇa-arthaḥ ca ||2||

Its purpose is cultivating integration,
effecting an attenuation of the afflictions.

Sūtra 3:

अविद्यास्मितारागद्वेषाभिनिवेशः क्लेशाः ॥३॥

avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśāḥ kleśāḥ ||3||

The afflictions are illusion, the sense of ‘I’ am-ness, attraction,
aversion and the will to stay alive.

Sūtra 4:

अविद्या क्षेत्रमुत्तरेषाम् प्रसुप्ततनुविच्छिन्नोदाराणाम् ॥४॥

avidyā kśetram-uttareṣāṃ prasupta-tanu-vicchinna-udārāṇām ||4||

Illusion is the field for the others whether they
are latent, attenuated, interrupted or aroused.

Sūtra 5:

अनित्याशुचिदुःखानात्मसु नित्यशुचिसुखात्मख्यातिरविद्या ॥५॥

anitya-aśuci-duḥkha-anātmasu nitya-śuci-sukha-ātma-khyātiḥ avidyā ||5||

Illusion is recognising what is
transitory, impure, suffering and other than essence,
as eternal, pure, happiness and essence.

Sūtra 6:

दृग्दर्शनशक्त्योरेकात्मतैवास्मिता ॥६॥

dṛg-darśana-śaktyoḥ-eka-ātmatā-iva-asmitā ||6||

The sense of ‘I’ am-ness is when
the powers of seer and seeing
are as if one nature.

Sūtra 7:

सुखानुशयी रागः ॥७॥

sukha-anuśayī rāgaḥ ||7||

Attraction is the consequence of happiness.

Sūtra 8:

दुःखानुशयी द्वेषः ॥८॥

duḥkha-anuśayī dveṣaḥ ||8||

Aversion is the consequence of suffering.

Sūtra 9:

स्वरस्वाहि विदुषोऽपि समारूढोऽभिनिवेशः ॥९॥

sva-rasa-vāhī viduṣaḥ api samā-rūḍhaḥ abhiniveśaḥ ||9||

The will to stay alive is a
continuous self-disposition;
equally springing up,
even in the wise person.

Sūtra 10:

ते प्रतिप्रसवहेयाः सूक्ष्माः ॥१०॥

te prati-prasava-heyāḥ sūkṣmāḥ ||10||

These are subtle and are overcome by going back to their origin.

Sūtra 11:

ध्यान हेयाः तद्वृत्तयः ॥११॥

dhyāna-heyāḥ tat-vṛttayaḥ ||11||

Those fluctuations are overcome by meditation.

Sūtra 12:

क्लेशमूलः कर्माशयो दृष्टादृष्टजन्मवेदनीयः ॥१२॥

kleśa-mūlaḥ karma-āśayaḥ-dṛṣta-adṛṣta-janma-vedanīyaḥ ||12||

Afflictions, rooted in the deposits of actions,
are experienced in seen and unseen birth.

Sūtra 13:

सति मूले तद्विपाको जात्यायुर्भोगाः ॥१३॥

sati mūle tat-vipākaḥ jāti-āyur-bhogāḥ ||13||

Being the root, that results in existence, span of life and worldly experience.

Sūtra 14:

ते ह्लाद परितापफलाः पुण्यापुण्यहेतुत्वात् ॥१४॥

te hlāda-paritāpa-phalāḥ puṇya-apuṇya-hetutvāt ||14||

These fruits are delightful or distressful,
based on virtuous or non-virtuous causalities.

Sūtra 15:

परिणाम ताप संस्कार दुःखैः गुणवृत्तिविरोधाच्च दुःखमेव सर्वं विवेकिनः ॥१५॥

pariṇāma-tāpa-saṃskāra-duḥkhaiḥ guṇa-vṛtti-virodhāt-ca duḥkham-eva sarvaṃ vivekinaḥ ||15||

Indeed for the discriminating person all is suffering,
due to the suffering from transformation, craving and tendencies;
and the opposing fluctuations in the activities of the attributes of nature.

Sūtra 16:

हेयं दुःखमनागतम् ॥१६॥

heyaṃ duḥkham-anāgatam ||16||

The suffering not yet come must be overcome.

Sūtra 17:

द्रष्टृदृश्ययोः संयोगो हेयहेतुः ॥१७॥

draṣṭṛ-dṛśyayoḥ saṃyogaḥ heya-hetuḥ ||17||

The cause of what must be overcome is
the conjunction of the seer and the seen.

Sūtra 18:

प्रकाशक्रियास्थितिशीलं भूतेन्द्रियात्मकं भोगापवर्गार्थं दृश्यम् ॥१८॥

prakāśa-kriyā-sthiti-śīlaṃ bhūta-indriya-ātmakaṃ bhoga-apavarga-arthaṃ dṛśyam ||18||

The seen has the qualities of brightness, activity and stay,
its nature is elements and senses,
taking the role of our essence
its purpose is worldly enjoyment and emancipation.

Sūtra 19:

विशेषाविशेषलिङ्गमात्रालिङ्गानि गुणपर्वाणि ॥१९॥

viśeṣa-aviśeṣa-liṅga-mātra-aliṅgāni-guṇa-parvāṇi ||19||

The distinct, the indistinct, the manifest alone and the unmanifest
are the phases of the attributes of nature.

Sūtra 20:

द्रष्टा दृशिमात्रः शुद्धोऽपि प्रत्ययानुपश्यः ॥२०॥

draṣṭā dṛśi-mātraḥ śuddhaḥ api-pratyaya-anupaśyaḥ ||20||

The seer alone sees,
although pure, it observes
through psychic activity.

Sūtra 21:

तदर्थ एव दृश्यस्यात्मा ॥२१॥

tat-artha eva-dṛśyasya-ātmā ||21||

That purpose of the seen is indeed for our essence.

Sūtra 22:

कृतार्थं प्रतिनष्टंप्यनष्टं तदन्य साधारणत्वात् ॥२२॥

kṛta-arthaṃ prati-naṣṭam-api-anaṣṭaṃ tat-anya-sādhāraṇatvāt ||22||

With regard to its purpose done,
it again disappears,
even though it is not disappeared,
that being common for others.

Sūtra 23:

स्वस्वामिशक्त्योः स्वरूपोप्लब्धिहेतुः संयोगः ॥२३॥

sva-svāmi-śaktyoḥ svarūpa-upalabdhi-hetuḥ saṃyogaḥ ||23||

Conjunction is the cause of
apprehension of the self character
of the powers of the owned and the owner.

Sūtra 24:

तस्य हेतुरविद्या ॥२४॥

tasya hetuḥ avidyā ||24||

Its cause is illusion.

Sūtra 25:

तदभाबात्संयोगाभावो हानं तद्दृशेः कैवल्यम् ॥२५॥

tat-abhāvāt-saṃyoga-abhāvaḥ hānaṃ tat-dṛśeḥ kaivalyam ||25||

That non-appearance is
the non-appearance of the conjunction,
that giving up is the seer in its abstraction.

Sūtra 26:

विवेकख्यातिरविप्लवा हानोपायः ॥२६॥

viveka-khyātiḥ aviplavā-hāna-upāyaḥ ||26||

Unwavering recognition of discrimination is the approach for giving up.

Sūtra 27:

तस्य सप्तधा प्रान्तभूमिः प्रज्ञ ॥२७॥

tasya saptadhā-prānta-bhūmiḥ prajñā ||27||

Its final stage a sevenfold knowing.

Sūtra 28:

योगाङ्गानुष्ठानादशुद्धिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिराविवेकख्यातेः ॥२८॥

yoga-aṅga-anuṣṭhānāt aśuddhi-kṣaye jñāna-dīptiḥ āviveka-khyāteḥ ||28||

From performance of the limbs of Yoga the impurities diminish
and knowing illuminates up to recognition of discrimination.

Sūtra 29:

यम नियमासन प्राणायाम प्रत्याहार धारणा ध्यान समाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि ॥२९॥

yama-niyama-āsana-prāṇāyāma-pratyāhāra-dhāraṇā-dhyāna-samādhayaḥ aṣṭau-aṅgāni ||29||

Restraints, observances, posture, extending the breath,
withdrawal from the senses, concentration, meditation and integration
are the eight limbs.

Sūtra 30:

अहिंसासत्यास्तेय ब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहाः यमाः ॥३०॥

ahiṃsā-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahāḥ yamāḥ ||30||

Non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, conservation
and non-grasping are the restraints.

Sūtra 31:

जातिदेशकालसमयानवच्छिन्नाः सार्वभौमामहाव्रतम् ॥३१॥

jāti-deśa-kāla-samaya-anavacchinnāḥ sārva-bhaumāḥ mahā-vratam ||31||

All stages not bound by existance, place, time or circumstance, a great vow

Sūtra 32:

शौच संतोष तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः ॥३२॥

śauca-saṃtoṣa-tapaḥ svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni niyamāḥ ||32||

Cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study
and dedication to the lord are the observances.

Sūtra 33:

वितर्कबाधने प्रतिपक्षभावनम् ॥३३॥

vitarka-bādhane pratipakṣa-bhāvanam ||33||

When oppressed by negative deliberation, cultivate the opposite side.

Sūtra 34:

वितर्का हिंसादयः कृतकारितानुमोदिता लोभक्रोधमोहापूर्वका मृदुमध्य अधिमात्रा दुःखाज्ञानानन्तफला इति प्रतिपक्षभावनम् ॥३४॥

vitarkāḥ hiṃsā-ādayaḥ kṛta-kārita-anumoditāḥ lobha-krodha-moha-pūrvakāḥ mṛdu-madhya-adhimātrāḥ duḥkha-ajñāna-ananta-phalāḥ iti pratipakṣa-bhāvanam ||34||

Negative deliberation such as harming and the rest;
may be done, brought about, or by approval;
is preceded by greed, anger or delusion;
may be mild, moderate or excessive;
its endless fruits are suffering and ignorance;
thus cultivate the opposite side.

Sūtra 35:

अहिंसाप्रतिष्ठायं तत्सन्निधौ वैरत्याघः ॥३५॥

ahiṃsā-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ tat-saṃnidhau vaira-tyāgaḥ ||35||

In the presence of that established in non-harming, animosity is forsaken.

Sūtra 36:

सत्यप्रतिष्थायं क्रियाफलाश्रयत्वम् ॥३६॥

satya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ kriyā-phala-āśrayatvam ||36||

When established in truthfulness,
the fruit corresponds to the activity.

Sūtra 37:

अस्तेयप्रतिष्ठायां सर्वरत्नोपस्थानम् ॥३७॥

asteya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ sarva-ratna-upasthānam ||37||

When established in non-stealing,
all jewels appear.

Sūtra 38:

ब्रह्मचर्य प्रतिष्ठायां वीर्यलाभः ॥३८॥

brahmacarya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ vīrya-lābhaḥ ||38||

When established in conservation,
vigour is attained.

Sūtra 39:

अपरिग्रहस्थैर्ये जन्मकथंता संबोधः ॥३९॥

aparigraha-sthairye janma-kathaṃtā-saṃbodhaḥ ||39||

When steadfastness in non-grasping,
understanding of the wherefore of birth.

Sūtra 40:

शौचात् स्वाङ्गजुगुप्सा परैरसंसर्गः ॥४०॥

śaucāt-sva-aṅga-jugupsā paraiḥ asaṃsargaḥ ||40||

From cleanliness,
disdain for own body,
non-association with others.

Sūtra 41:

सत्त्वशुद्धिः सौमनस्यैकाग्र्येन्द्रियजयात्मदर्शन योग्यत्वानि च ॥४१॥

sattva-śuddhi-saumanasya-eka-agrya-indriya-jaya-ātma-darśana-yogyatvāni ca ||41||

From purity of clarity,
open-mindedness, one-pointedness, mastery of the senses
and capability for seeing the essence.

Sūtra 42:

संतोषातनुत्तमस्सुखलाभः ॥४२॥

saṃtoṣāt-anuttamaḥ sukha-lābhaḥ ||42||

From contentment,
unsurpassed happiness is attained.

Sūtra 43:

कायेन्द्रियसिद्धिरशुद्धिक्षयात् तपसः ॥४३॥

kāya-indriya-siddhiḥ aśuddhi-kṣayāt-tapasaḥ ||43||

From self-discipline, impurities diminish
and accomplishment in the body and senses.

Sūtra 44:

स्वाध्यायादिष्टदेवता संप्रयोगः ॥४४॥

svādhyāyāt-iṣṭa-devatā-saṃprayogaḥ ||44||

From self-study,
total joining together with chosen deity.

Sūtra 45:

समाधि सिद्धिःीश्वरप्रणिधानात् ॥४५॥

samādhi-siddhiḥ īśvara-praṇidhānāt ||45||

From dedication to the lord,
accomplishment in intregration.

Sūtra 46:

स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥

sthira-sukham-āsanam ||46||

Steady and comfortable is posture.

Sūtra 47:

प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम् ॥४७॥

prayatna-śaithilya-ananta-samāpattibhyām ||47||

Both relaxation of continued effort and unity in the infinite.

Sūtra 48:

ततो द्वङ्द्वानभिघातः ॥४८॥

tataḥ dvandva-anabhighātaḥ ||48||

From that,
not troubled by the pair of opposites.

Sūtra 49:

तस्मिन् सति श्वासप्रश्वास्योर्गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामः ॥४९॥

tasmin-sati-śvāsa-praśvāsayoḥ gati-vicchedaḥ prāṇāyāmaḥ ||49||

Being in this,
dividing the motion of the inhalation and the exhalation
is extending the breath.

Sūtra 50:

बाह्याभ्यन्तरस्थम्भ वृत्तिः देशकालसन्ख्याभिः परिदृष्टो दीर्घसूक्ष्मः ॥५०॥

bāhya-ābhyantara-stambha-vṛttiḥ deṣa-kāla-saṃkhyābhiḥ paridṛṣṭaḥ dīrgha-sūkṣmaḥ ||50||

The external, internal and suspension fluctuations
are seen to be long and subtle
through place, time and number.

Sūtra 51:

बाह्याभ्यन्तर विषयाक्षेपी चतुर्थः ॥५१॥

bāhya-ābhyantara-viṣaya-ākṣepī caturthaḥ ||51||

The fourth transcends the external and internal as an object.

Sūtra 52:

ततः क्षीयते प्रकाशावरणम् ॥५२॥

tataḥ kṣīyate prakāśa-āvaraṇam ||52||

From that, the covering of the light dissolves.

Sūtra 53:

धारणासु च योग्यता मनसः ॥५३॥

dhāraṇāsu ca yogyatā manasaḥ ||53||

And fitness of the mind for concentration.

Sūtra 54:

स्वविषयासंप्रयोगे चित्तस्य स्वरूपानुकारैवेन्द्रियाणां प्रत्याहारः ॥५४॥

sva-viṣaya-asaṃprayoge cittasya svarūpa-anukāraḥ iva-indriyāṇām pratyāhāraḥ ||54||

The disengagement from the own object of the psyche,
as if imitating the own character of the senses,
is withdrawal from the senses.

Sūtra 55:

ततः परमावश्यता इन्द्रियाणाम् ॥५५॥

tataḥ paramā vaśyatā-indriyāṇām ||55||

From that, best control of the senses.

Closing Verse:

इति पतञ्जल योग दर्षने साधनपादः

iti pātañjala yoga darśane sādhana-pādaḥ

Thus Patañjali’s view of Yoga in the section on the Means to accomplish.

Centre for Yoga Studies

The Art of Personal Sādhana

Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali