Inside the Yoga Sutras: A Comprehensive Sourcebook for the Study & Practice of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

431 Pages·2005·1.5 MB·English

by  Jaganath Carrera

I Y S
NSIDE THE OGA UTRAS
INSIDE THE
YOGA SUTRAS
A COMPREHENSIVE SOURCEBOOK FOR
THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF PATANJALI’S YOGA
SUTRAS

REVEREND JAGANATH CARRERA
®
Integral Yoga Publications
Yogaville, Virginia
Copyright © 2006 Jaganath Carrera.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.
Cover Art © 2006 Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville Printed in the United States of America Second
Printing 2008
Third Printing 2011
Library of Congress Control Number: 2005907687
ISBN - 13: 978-0-932040-57-2
Cover design by Tim Barrall Layout by Kemper Conwell, Pixels of Charlottesville, Virginia.
®
Integral Yoga Publications Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville Route 1 Box 1720
Buckingham, Virginia 23921
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Preface
Put Down This Book, Unless
The Cosmic Drama:
What You Perceive Is What You Believe
Pada One:
Inside Pada One
Samadhi Pada: Portion on Absorption
Pada One Review
What to Do
Pada Two:
Inside Pada Two
Sadhana Pada: Portion on Practice
Pada Two Review
What to Do
Pada Three:
Inside Pada Three
Vibhuti Pada: Portion on Accomplishments
Pada Three Review
What to Do
Pada Four:
Inside Pada Four
Kaivalya Pada: Portion on Absoluteness
Pada Four Review
What to Do
Study Guide
Appendix:
The Yoga Sutras, the Dualism of Classical
Sankhya, and the Nondualism of Advaita Vedanta
Sutras-by-Subject Index
Word-for-Word Sutra Dictionary
Continuous Translation
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
Resources
Dedication
This book is dedicated to all who seek peace and understanding, both
individual and universal. May you soon experience the unbounded peace and joy
of your own Self.
It is also dedicated to that great light of Yoga, Sri Patanjali Maharaj. A
compassionate and brilliant teacher, his universal teachings have informed and
guided countless seekers to realize the Self and be free.
Above all, I offer this book with humility, love, and gratitude to my revered
master, Rev. Sri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj, whose very life embodies and
exemplifies the truths of Sri Patanjali’s Sutras.
He is the root; this text, the fruit. His teachings, humor, vivid stories, and
memorable analogies are for me the foundation for understanding the Yoga
Sutras and permeate this publication. This, along with his admonition always to
“look beyond the letter, to find the spirit of the law,” encouraged me to express
my own humble thoughts regarding this classic text.
I can never repay him for all he has done for me. To him, I offer my
prostrations.
Acknowledgments
This text has been published through the dedicated and loving efforts of
many. I can never repay them for their selfless efforts in bringing this text to
light. They truly embody Yoga in action.
To my wife, Rev. Janaki Carrera, who patiently reviewed draft after draft,
providing organization, commonsense guidance, and the title of this volume.
To Swami Karunananda Ma and Swami Sharadananda Ma, masterful
teachers of Raja Yoga, whose countless hours of service provided both insights
into these teachings and perceptive editing. They helped give clarity and depth to
the text.
To Paraman Barsel, a great Raja yogi (and the teacher in the first Raja Yoga
class I attended) whose editing skills helped elevate both the ideas and prose of
this text. He was on call at all hours to serve.
To Rev. Prem Anjali for her unflagging support, Ganesh MacIsaac for his
advice and help, Gill Kent for the clear editing that put the polish on the apple,
and the many students and teachers of Yoga who encouraged and inspired me.
To Tim Barrall, a great artist and Karma Yogi, for his inspired cover design
and to Kemper Conwell who did a masterful job with the layout of the text,
making it clear and inviting.
To the countless wise teachers, authors, and commentators whose profound
knowledge and insights into this holy text inspired and informed me. Thank you.
Preface
I love the Yoga Sutras. They have been a part of my life, as both a student
and a teacher of Raja Yoga, for over thirty years. Yet to comment on a sacred
text requires a particular inspiration or, failing that, a peculiar type of daring or
arrogance. After all, every spiritual classic is surrounded by the wise words of
great sages and scholars. Before adding another viewpoint, one must ask: Do I
have anything worthwhile to add to the discussion? Will it be a useful service to
others?
The book you hold in your hands began as a personal project: to organize
notes that had been jotted down on receipts, envelopes, and notebooks over years
of study and contemplation. At the urging of students, this straightforward task
transformed into the formidable undertaking of writing a commentary. Their
requests gave birth to a rumor that took on a life of its own. Soon I was being
asked when my book would come out!
In spite of the interest, the project initially seemed unnecessary to me,
especially since my own master, Sri Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev) had
authored a magnificent translation and commentary. That text has been a
treasured bible for me as well as countless others for almost two decades. I
thought it might be impertinent even to suggest that my small voice should be
added alongside his and the other brilliant translators and commentators on the
Yoga Sutras that are available. Still, students continued their requests. Finally I
found it hard to ignore the realities of students’ interest and my expanding
compilation of notes.
One day, during a meeting I had with Sri Gurudev, I brought these
developments to his attention. His response provided insightful guidance along
with his blessings: “If it’s a good service to others, why not? I’ve been thinking
that it is time for a new approach. Go. Do it.” On another occasion, in response
to my lingering hesitancy, he added, “Someone motivated by their ego would not
even be asking these questions. It’s a good idea to do this. Yes, let’s do it.” His
blessings instilled a special life and spirit to this project and initiated five years
of joyfully consuming effort.
My prayer is that this publication fulfills my master’s charge to provide a
useful service to others.
Put Down This Book, Unless …
… you agree with this fundamental truth: everyone wants to be happy,
peaceful, and fulfilled.
If you are completely at peace, if there is no lack in your life, if nothing has
the power to make you sad, anxious, or unsure, then perhaps for you the study
and practice of the Yoga Sutras is not necessary; you are already living the goal.
If, on the other hand, you feel there is something missing in fleeting occasions of
joy; if you yearn to experience an abiding peace, are searching for meaning and
a vision of life that will help you make sense out of the unexpected twists and
turns you face; or if you would like to bring your mind to a clear and focused
stillness, then consider reading on.
The Yoga Sutras of Sri Patanjali is the science of joy and a blueprint for
living a deeply satisfying life. It is a timeless spiritual classic whose appeal is
founded on a profound and unerring understanding of the human condition. Not
simply a philosophy, it presents a holistic system of practices that provide clear
progressive steps towards the elimination of suffering and attainment of spiritual
liberation. These teachings reach beyond age, occupation, gender, and faith
tradition. They touch the heart of the struggle to find peace amidst a world of
uncertainties and challenge. They boldly proclaim that the joy we seek is within
us, as none other than our True Identity.