The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Forbidden Mantra Series

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a foundational text of yoga philosophy and practice. It consists of 196 sutras, or concise aphorisms, that outline the nature of yoga, the obstacles to its practice, and the techniques and virtues necessary to overcome those obstacles and attain the ultimate goal of yoga: liberation, or kaivalya.

The text is divided into four chapters, or padas, each of which focuses on a different aspect of yoga. The first chapter, the Samadhi Pada, sets the foundation for the entire text by outlining the goal of yoga, which is to attain samadhi, or a state of complete absorption in the object of meditation. The second chapter, the Sadhana Pada, focuses on the practical aspects of yoga, providing guidance on the various practices one can engage in to overcome obstacles and cultivate virtues. The third chapter, the Vibhuti Pada, discusses the extraordinary powers that can be developed through the practice of yoga and emphasizes the importance of avoiding attachment to those powers. The final chapter, the Kaivalya Pada, discusses the ultimate goal of yoga, liberation, and provides guidance on how to achieve it through the practice of self-inquiry and meditation.

Overall, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a comprehensive guide to the philosophy and practice of yoga, providing practitioners with a framework for understanding the nature of the self, the obstacles to its realization, and the techniques and virtues necessary to overcome those obstacles and attain the ultimate goal of yoga: liberation from suffering and the attainment of ultimate wisdom.