Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

1. Introduction
2. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
3. Structure of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
   1. Samadhi Pada
   2. Sadhana Pada
   3. Vibhuti Pada
   4. Kaivalya Pada
4. Abstentions (Yamas)
5. Observances (Niyamas)
6. The eight limbs of the Yoga of Patanjali (Yoga Philosophy)
7. Raja Yoga
8. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Vivekananda
9. The Yoga of B. K. S. Iyengar

Comparison between the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita:

1. Yoga Shastra: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Bhagavad Gita
2. Aphorisms (Sutras) / verses (Shlokas, Bhagavad Gita)
3. Bhagavad Gita (Shruti), Yoga Sutras (Smriti)
4. Yoga Philosophy and Vedanta (Bhagavad Gita)
5. Science and Yoga Philosophy (according to the Bhagavad Gita)
6. Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras: Spiritual Science (Para-vidya)
7. Style: Yoga Sutras (formal), Bhagavad Gita (poetry)
8. Bhagavad Gita (dialogue), Yoga Sutras (scientific text)
9. Repetition technique of the Bhagavad Gita, Non-repetition of the Yoga Sutras
10. Length of the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras Patanjali

In the world of yoga, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (Yoga Philosophy) are much better known than the Bhagavad Gita.

The Bhagavad Gita was compiled by the sage Vyasa long before Patanjali's work (perhaps 200 years); In the eight stages of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, centered on Raja Yoga, he already suggests the practice of five ethical exercises: Ahimsa, truthfulness, non-stealing, pure life and non-coveting.

All of this is widely recorded in the Bhagavad Gita.

Although many people believe that Patanjali was the creator of yoga, he was not, since the pillars of yoga are found in the Puranas and the Upanishads, of which the Bhagavad Gita is a part, as well as in the Sankhya doctrine.

The Yoga Sutras, or “Aphorisms on Yoga” of Patanjali are composed of four chapters or books (Padas), containing 196 aphorisms.

The new variants of yoga, such as Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga (the yoga of the eight elements) or Vinyasa Yoga (Vi means positioning of the body, Nyasa is one of the meditative states to achieve concentration on one point and achieve liberation), They are based on the principles enunciated by Patanjali.

Several pillars stated in the Bhagavad Gita such as ., tolerance or truthfulness, are part of the five Yamas (restrictions or abstentions) and the five Niyamas (observances or rules, “nor” means “no»), proposed by Patanjali.

In Chapter 5- The Yoga of Renunciation of Action of the Bhagavad Gita we find:

Gandhi observed about this verse:

«These verses refer to some of the yogic practices established in the Yoga Sutras (of Patanjali).. The prince of the yogis, Patanjali, gave first place to the Yamas (fundamental vows) and the Niyamas (voluntary vows), and kept as eligible for yoga practices only those who had passed the preliminary discipline.» Gandhi.

The five Yamas (abstentions) are:

1. Nonviolence (Ahimsa)
2. Truthfulness (Satya)
3. Do not steal (Asteya)
4. Absolute control of the senses (Brahmacharya)
5. Possess what is necessary (Aparigraha)

«Abstentions are: abstaining from causing harm, lying, stealing, sensual pleasures and wealth.» Patanjali PYS II.30.

As we can see below, these five Yamas (abstentions) are all present in the Bhagavad Gita.

As a summarized example:

Nonviolence (Ahimsa).

«When the abstention from causing harm is firmly established in the yogi, all hostility in his presence is abandoned.» Patanjali PYS II.35.

Truthfulness (Satya).

«When the abstention from lying is firmly established in the yogi, actions and their fruits are connecte.» Patanjali PYS II.30.

As we see, it is also a clear statement of Karma Yoga.

Do not steal (Asteya) / Possess what is necessary (Aparigraha).

«When the abstention from stealing is firmly established in the yogi, all kinds of riches arise before him.» Patanjali PYS II.37.

«The firm establishment in Aparigraha results in full knowledge of the why and wherefore of our own existence.» Patanjali PYS II.39.

Control Absolute of the senses, moderation (Brahmacharya).

«They say: “The world is devoid of absolute truth, without any moral basis and without God. It is caused by the union of man and woman, and only lust is its cause: what else is there?» Bhagavad Gita 16-8.

«When abstention from sensual pleasure is firmly established in the Yogi, great vitality is acquired.» Patanjali PYS II.30.

Three of the Yamas come directly from Ahimsa.

For Gandhi Ahimsa is our supreme duty and Satya (truthfulness) and Ahimsa are inseparable:

«Perhaps it is clear that without Ahimsa it is not possible to seek and find the Truth.» Gandhi.

The third obligation, Asteya (not stealing), arises from Ahimsa in thoughts and actions. How can a non-violent thought generate theft?

The fifth, Aparigraha (non-possession), is a consequence of Ahimsa in thoughts controlling desires.

The fourth, Brahmacharya, is perhaps the only one that does not necessarily arise from Ahimsa, although without Ahimsa there could be no Brahmacharya; For Swami Yatiswarananda or BKS Iyengar, Brahmacharya must be practiced in thoughts, words and actions, like Ahimsa.

For Swami Krishnananda:

Niyamas (observances).

The five Niyamas (observances) are:

1. Purity (Shaucha)
2. Satisfaction (Santosa)
3. Austerity / self-discipline (Tapas)
4. Self-Knowledge (Svadhyaya)
5. Surrender to God (Ishvarapranidhana)

«Likewise these Niyamas (observances) are also defined in the Bhagavad Gita.» Patanjali PYS II.32.

The rest of this summary of the “Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” (Yoga Philosophy) training is only available to students of the Gita Institute.

The rest of this summary of the Training “Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” is only available to students of the Gita Institute

For Sri Ramakrishna:

The Chilean yoga teacher and poet has recently published this wonderful book:

“Yoga Sutras of Patanjali”
“A poetic translation by René Espinoza.”

The book is a marvel that is worth reading and reflecting on this magnificent version of Patanjali's Sutras. Around the same time that René was finishing his book, I was also finishing mine: “The Yoga of Wisdom: Bhagavad Gita.” And we decided to collaborate each on the other's book. In the chapter “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” of my book René was kind enough to send me a beautiful text in verse and I included it in the book. Thanks Rene.

Taking advantage of a trip to Barcelona by Oscar Castillo, a friend of René, a yoga teacher, and a Barcelona native living in Chile, we met to exchange books.

Pedro Nonell. Author of the Book: The Yoga of Wisdom (Bhagavad Gita).

Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

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