Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali - Samadhi, Book 1

Question 1

What are the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali

Answer 1

The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali are 196 Indian sūtras (aphorisms) that make up the foundational text of Ashtanga (or Raja) Yoga.

Question 2

Who is Patañjali?

Answer 2

The compiler of the Yoga Sūtras.

Question 3

When were the Yoga Sūtras compiled?

Answer 3

Around 400 CE.

Question 4

What is an aphorism?

Answer 4

An aphorism is a pithy observation that contains a general truth.

Question 5

What is the first chapter of the Yoga Sūtra?

Answer 5

Samādhi Pada

Question 6

Samādhi 1.1

Answer 6

Here begins the authoritative instruction on Yoga.

Question 7

Samādhi 1.2

Answer 7

Yoga is the ability to direct the mind exclusively toward an object and sustain that direction without distraction.

Question 8

What is the Samādhi Pada about?

Answer 8

The Samādhi Pada
• Defines Yoga and its characteristics
• Discusses problems encountered in reaching the state of Yoga and ways these problems can be handled