Hinduism 101 - Mandhata Global

different types and colors of flowers or pearls of various hues and sizes so is the entire treatise of Yoga made up of
these short but extremely meaningful sayings – the sutras. The Yoga Sutras are strategically placed in four chapters:
• The first chapter: Samadhi Pada:. Samadhi is the trance-like state the Yogi enters when fully immersed in
the rites of the particular Yoga he or she is practicing. A fully-advanced Yogi can realize Brahman in this
state. This first chapter is made up of 51 sutras that deal with the kinds of Samadhi achievable. There are also
details of obstacles to meditation, the Vrittis or natures, and means of controlling them. Five kinds of Vrittis
are mentioned. Also mentioned are three kinds of Vairagya - dispassion. The nature of Ishvara, God, is
discussed through the terse sutras as well as various methods of achieving Samadhi. There is also mention
made of various ways of acquiring virtues to ultimately gain peace of mind.
• The second chapter: Sadhana Pada:. Sadhana is the effort that the Yogi makes to achieve Samadhi. This
chapter consists of 55 Sutras. These treat Kriya Yoga - Tapas or meditation, study of scriptures to acquire
the right knowledge or Vidya and self-surrender of the ego to the God-head. The five Kleshas or afflictions
that come in the way of achieving Samadhi and ways and means of getting rid of them is also mentioned. The
Niyamas, good habits, and Yamas, vows, are mentioned together with the benefits of observing the Niyamas
and maintaining the Yamas. The benefits of Ashanas, Yogic postures capable of inducing Samadhi, are also
mentioned. Lastly is mentioned the practice of Pratyahara, sacrifices, to gain benefits for both body and
mind.
• The third chapter: Vibhuti Pada: - Vibhuti is manifestation of the Lord in any possible form. There are 56
Sutras in the chapter. They treat Dharana - the nature of things - Dhyana - meditation – and Samyama -
perspective – on external objects. It also treats the nature of the mind and the charkas - circles – of the mind.
These are treated to investigate ways in which various Siddhis - enlightenments – can be achieved.
• The fourth chapter: Kaivalya Pada: Kaivalya is independence of Prakriti. This chapter consists of 34 Sutras.
This chapter treats of the complete independence of a fully-advanced Yogi who can absolutely distinguish
between Prakriti and Purusha and who is also free of the three Gunas, characteristics, which will be
discussed later. The mind and its states are also discussed in this chapter