Introduction to Patañjali’s Yogasūtras (Śrīpātañjalayogadarśana)

Introduction to Yoga-Sūtras of Patañjali (Śrīpātañjalayogadarśana) An Online course on Introduction to Yoga-Sūtras of Patañjali (Śrīpātañjalayogadarśana) in English

Before beginning the studies of Theory of Yoga / Yoga-Sūtras of Sage Patañjali, one should take a look at the Introduction to Yoga.

Overview Once you are familiar with the subject matter, the basics are clear then dive deep into the studies of Yogasūtras of Sage Patañjali. How to pronounce the word – ‘Yoga’ ? You will learn Correct way to say - Yoga.

Etymology of the word – ‘Yoga’.

Introduction to history of Yoga.

Definitions of Yoga.

Different types of Yoga.

No prior knowledge of Yoga is required. You will learn basics here.

Introduction to Yoga-Sūtras of Patañjali

or Introduction to Patañjali’s-Yoga-Darśana –

Online course to be taken along with the Online course – ‘Yoga-Sūtras of Patañjali (Śrīpātañjalayogadarśana) – Lectures L1 (English)’

Know the Basics of Yoga-Darśana / Yoga-Sūtra of Patañjali.

Before beginning the studies of Yoga-Sūtras of Patañjali ( Śrī Pātañjala-Yoga-Darśana ) one should take a look at the Introduction to become familiar with the subject matter. Once the basics are clear then dive deep into the studies of Yogasūtras.

After going through this course you will be able to understand the basics of the theory of Yoga which is propounded by Sage Patañjali. It is known as Yoga-Darśana or Yoga-Sūtras of Sage Patañjali.

The aim of Yoga is to remove the impurities of the Citta , the mind. Sage Patañjali , who was the first to codify Yoga , drew up eight steps for silencing the mind. These eight steps systematically wash away the impurities of the mind, make it progressively pure and clean. Yoga aims to go from Objective world to subjective world.

There are many more meaning to the word ‘ Yoga’ . Yoga means addition, destiny, coincidence. Yoga also means, path, connection or a topic, e. g. names of chapters of Bhagavad Gītā; twelfth chapter is named Bhaktiyogaḥ, the fifteenth is Puruṣottamayogaḥ . Depending upon the context different philosophies apply different meanings of the word ‘ Yoga’ .

Yoga is as old as human race. We find seeds of Yoga in Vedas and Upaniṣads . Why someone becomes a Yogī ? Because of quest for knowledge. Knowledge not of outside world but of the Self. Yoga practices began during Vedic and even pre-Vedic times. They had the urge to look into the Reality. Because of realizing that something is appearing which is temporary and beyond that something is permanent. Though the moving world appears but there is one unmoving substratum which should be realized. And to know this we need to turn inward, which is given in Yoga .

Many texts define Yoga in their own ways. Some definitions of Yoga according to Śrīmad - Bhagavad - Gītā are: Yoga is ‘to maintain equilibrium’and ‘dexterity in action’, Gītā also defines Yoga as ‘separation from union with pain’, and this comes very close to the Yoga of Sage Patañjali .

What people say

It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of Nādalaya. My experience with Dr. Rajani Pradhan has been very good. I have learnt the meaning of Yoga-Sūtra in the past from different teachers but never have they made so much clarity to me. What I like is that the meaning of the sutra is explained from the sutra itself by dissecting it. The sutra is explained just the way it is. Dr. Pradhan does not impose her own understanding about the sutra but leaves the understanding of the inner meaning of the sutras on us. The fact that she has deep understanding of Saṃskṛta helps in breaking the words to its root and therefore easy to understand. The simple examples that she gives simplifies it further.

Namaste, This is Krupa and i am a student of Patañjali yoga darshana course level 1. Little bit about my experience with yoga. I am practicing yoga since many years. I have even learnt about Yoga-Sūtra before but not too much in detail. Now have got the chance of learning it in detail. I feel so much blessed to learn sutras with Rajani ma'am. The explanation is so precise that we understand the Sutra easily. Even Sutra chanting is important. And i am able to chant it because ma'am makes it very easy to chant. I would like to thank ma'am for making Yoga-Sūtras very easy to understand and to fall in love with them... Thank you

Where do I begin. If only feelings could translate into words, I would have been able to explain better. I was in search of a teacher/guru to handhold me and help me understand yoga through Patañjali's Yoga-Sūtras. After the completion of my course, I was always curious to learn more, understand more about yoga from every aspect and I guess that's the reason I somehow couldn't teach. I thought that I need to know more and what was that more, I didn't know. During the pandemic, I started attending various online workshops which Kaivalyadhama was conducting. Look at the irony, despite living in Bombay for almost 20 years, I couldn't somehow go to Kaivalyadhama. But these online workshops on various subjects made my resolve stronger to learn about the Yoga-Sūtras. And as I have always beleived, what you seek, you receive. I came across Dr. Rajani Pradhan's course through Instagram and I thought this was it. I am two months old in this course and I can't begin to explain how this course has introduced me to a 'new me'. Besides learning how to chant sutras, I am also learning its meanings. One step at a time. Dr. Rajani Pradhan ways of teaching is so easy and simple that her teachings stays with me. I must mention that she is a storyteller and her stories are an extension of her personality. I look forward to every Sunday and how two hours go by, I don't even realise. After almost 8 years of asana practise, now I feel that I am beginning to complete the circle. And perhaps soon, I will start sharing what I have received. I can go on and on. All I want to say is don't miss the opportunity of doing any course with Dr. Rajani Pradhan. She is the best. In true sense my guru. “गुरू बिन भवनिधि तरहिं न कोई। जौं बिरंचि संकर सम होई ।।”