Yoga Sutras Quotes

“Sutra 1.14: sa tu dîrgha-kâla-nairantarya-satkârâsevito drdha-bhûmih” Translation: When this practice is done for a long time, and with sincere devotion, then the practice becomes a firmly rooted, stable, and solid foundation.

“Sutra 1.13: tatra sthitau yatno ‘bhyâsah” Translation: Practice means choosing, applying the effort, and doing those actions that bring a stable and tranquil state.

“Sutra 1.2: yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah” Translation: Yoga is the control of the mind.

“Sutra 1.27: tasya vâcakah prañavah” Translation: Isvara is the Sanskrit word for pure awareness, and is represented by the sound of OM, the universal vibration that connects us all.

“Sutra 1.34: pracchardana-vidhârañâbhyâm vâ prâñasya” Translation: The mind is also calmed by regulating the breath, particularly attending to the exhalation and the natural stilling of breath that comes from such practice.

“Yoga Sutra I.2: Yoga citta vritti nirodhah Yoga is the ending of disturbances of the mind.”

Yoga Sutra I.5–6: Vrttayah pancatayyah klistaklistah pramana viparyaya vikalpa nidra smrtayah Translation: There are five functions or activities of the mind, which can either cause us problems or not. They are: correct perception, misunderstanding, imagination, deep sleep, and memory.

Yoga Sutra I.12- Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tat nirodhah Translation: In order to achieve a state of yoga, one must develop both practice and detachment.

Yoga Sutra I.29- “Tatah pratyakcetanadhigamah api antarayabhavas ca” Translation: Then, the inner consciousness is revealed, we come to know the true Self, and our obstacles are reduced.

Sutra 2.46: “sthira-sukham âsanam” Translation: The means of perfecting the posture is that of relaxing, relenting effort, and allowing your attention to merge with endlessness, or the infinite.

Sutra 3.1: “desa-bandhas cittasya dhârañâ” Translation: Concentration is the process of holding or fixing the mind’s attention onto one object or place, and is the sixth of the eight rungs.

Sutra II.15: Parinama tapa samskara duhkhaih guna vrtti virodhaccha duhkham evam sarvam vivekinah Translation: Change, longing, habits, and the activity of the gunas can all cause us suffering. In fact, even the wise suffer, for suffering is everywhere.

Sutra 3.49: “tato mano-javitvam vikaraña-bhâvah pradhâna-jayas ca” Translation: With mastery over the senses, thoughts, and actions comes quickness of mind and perception.

Sutra 4.15: vastu-sâmye citta-bhedât tayor vibhaktah panthâh Translation: Although individuals perceive the same objects, these objects are perceived in different ways, because those minds are each unique and beautifully diverse.

Sutra II.33: Vitarka badhane 
pratipaksha bhavanam Translation: When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite ones should be thought of.

Sutra II.42: Samtosad anuttamah sukhalabha Translation: From contentment, incomparable happiness is obtained.

Sutra 2.32: sauca-santosa-tapah-svâdhyâyesvara-prañidhânâni niyamâh Translation: Cleanliness and purity of body and mind, an attitude of contentment, discipline, self-study and reflection on sacred words, and an attitude of surrender are the observances or practices of self-training, and are the second rung on the ladder of yoga, otherwise known as the Niyamas.

Sutra 2.31: ete jâti-desa-kâla-samayânavacchinnâh sârva-bhaumâ mahâvratam Translation: These codes of self-regulation become a powerful standard to live by when they can be practiced unconditionally.

Sutra I.12: Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tat nirodhah Translation: In order to achieve a state of yoga, one must develop both practice and detachment.

Sutra I.20: Shraddha virya smrti samadhi prajna purvakah itaresham Translation: For those of us who were not born into states of higher consciousness or knowing, we must cultivate self-confidence and conviction to help us maintain our persistence and strength, and to remember our direction so that we may attain our goal of a focused mind and clear perception.