Yoga Sutra - an introduction
The legend of Yoga predates to the beginning of time and creation, and to translate this legend into a credible storehouse of knowledge we have the magical Yoga Sutra, a handbook on the practice, steps, and efficacy of Yoga. To put this succinctly Sage Patanjali is credited with the compilation and authorship of Yoga Sutra some 2500 odd years ago. Why we say compilation is because Patanjali even though rightly acknowledged as the father of modern Yoga is not the originator of this sacred tradition of spiritual unfoldment, but rather a chosen torch bearer who continued spreading the light of Yoga. The hidden manna in each of the 196 aphorisms of Yoga Sutra can be your personal treasure with faithful practice and devout discipline. The unlocking of the magic encapsulated in these threads or Sutras must be an experiential exercise and to be drunk with this yogic potion can be the goal of human life.
The form or representative image of Sage Patanjali is fascinating in many ways and can be aptly used as a symbol for meditative visualization. He is considered in essence a divine incarnation who is a historical personage as well. What matters more to us is how we can benefit by understanding each element of his form and use the same as a guidepost for our attitudinal and psychological stability and transformation. Patanjali considered to be the incarnation of Adisesa (King of Snakes) is depicted as having the upper body of a human and the lower body of a snake. The exhortation here is that the sincere aspirant should move like a serpent, with stealth and intensity, continuing with unwavering courage till the final goal of Kaivalya or divine union is reached. Sage is depicted as having conch in his left hand, the disc in the right hand with a sword tucked in his waist. The conch symbolizes attentiveness, which is a sine quo non - every moment, in midst of activity, during slumber, or when immersed in Yogic culture. Disc in the right hand is to remind us to guard ourselves against wrong views, lest our perception becomes clouded and we start taking wrong decisions and degenerate spiritually. The sword tucked in is the sword of wisdom that can cut through our egoity and false pride. The suffering and conflict intertwined with life are usually to shake us out of our sloth and free us from the cocoon of ego. Two of his four hands are folded in namaskar or atmanjali mudra depicting our hearts’ natural desire to surrender every figment of our being to our creator and achieve Kaivalya or oneness with or our higher self. The hood above the head of Patanjali is an assurance of protection from Adisesa, the King of Serpents; the aspirant is not all alone in his journey, but rather always under the protective umbrella of this divine personage.
For now, let us conclude with these two words by Patanjali “tajjapah tadarthabhavanam”, meaning – recite your prayers knowingly, repeatedly, devotedly and concentrate on developing a mind of prayerfulness. Prayer is often a clarion call to unite the finite with the Infinite.
- Sudhir