Yoga Sūtraयोगसूत्र
The classical text of Yoga philosophy. 3 passages in the chapters come from it.
- What it is
- About 195 short aphorisms in four chapters
- Composed
- Often placed around the 4th–5th century CE; some scholars put it centuries earlier
- By
- Patañjali
- References on this site
- Chapter.aphorism: 1.14 is chapter 1, aphorism 14.
It defines yoga as the stilling of the movements of the mind (1.2), and sets out practice and non-attachment as the means, and the eight limbs from ethical restraints to absorption. It has always been read with an early commentary, the Yoga-bhāṣya. Here it is quoted on practice that is sustained (1.14), on clear insight (1.48) and on contentment (2.42).
Read it in full
- Charles Johnston's version (1912), at sacred-texts.com (free, opens another site)
Translations in print
- Edwin F. Bryant, The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali (North Point Press, 2009)
Names with marks such as ā, ṣ or ṛ are explained in how to read the names and terms.
The 3 passages the chapters quote
ऋतंभरा तत्र प्रज्ञा । ṛtaṃbharā tatra prajñā. Yoga Sūtra 1.48
- DocumentedUnit 2 · Values, Learning and Motivation
Learning through practice and practice made firm
Read it in its chapter“Practice becomes firmly grounded when it is pursued for a long time, without a break, and with devotion.” स तु दीर्घकालनैरन्तर्यसत्कारासेवितो दृढभूमिः । sa tu dīrgha-kāla-nairantarya-satkārāsevito dṛḍha-bhūmiḥ. Yoga Sūtra 1.14
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- APA
Veda Verse. (2026, October 25). Yoga Sūtra: what it is, and the passages we quote. https://myvedaverse.in/learn/texts/yoga-sutra
- MLA
“Yoga Sūtra: what it is, and the passages we quote.” Veda Verse, 25 Oct. 2026, myvedaverse.in/learn/texts/yoga-sutra.
- Chicago
Veda Verse. “Yoga Sūtra: what it is, and the passages we quote.” Last modified October 25, 2026. https://myvedaverse.in/learn/texts/yoga-sutra.
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