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The foundation of text of yoga is known as Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The text in all consists of 196 sutras that are related to each other and form the basis of yoga. The sutras are inspired from Samkhya philosophy with traces from Upanishadic and Buddhist school of thought.
Yoga Sutras basically talk about the need to adhere to the eight limbs of yoga if one wants to achieve peace of mind and liberation. The sutras not only provide a firm base to the whole practice of yoga but also throw light on some very basic traditional thoughts.
The whole text of 196 Yoga Sutras is divided in to four chapters or books, also known as padas.
Samadhi Pada (Concentration)
Samadhi means to concentrate. It is one enjoyable and completely easy stage. This chapter focuses on teaching you the ways to attain Samadhi and be able to cut yourself off from external thoughts. The chapter is based on the famous definitional verse that says- "Yoga is the restraint o mental modifications".
It talks about what is yoga and how you can pull your thought s away from the world and enter the state of Samadhi where in you are absorbed in yourself! It also talks about types of concentrations and the various obstacles and solutions pertaining to them.
Sadhana Pada (Practice)
Sadhana means 'practice' or 'discipline'. The chapter talks about two forms of yoga- kriya yoga and karma yoga. While karma yoga concentrates is all about service and selfless action, karma yoga focuses on eight limbs of yoga that together form Raja Yoga. The eight limbs of yoga are- Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana and Samadhi.
Vibhuti Pada (Progressing)
Vibhuti means power. As you practice yoga, you start to acquire supra normal powers that would help you reach the final stage of liberation. The chapter talks about how you must overcome the temptation of these powers and work towards attaining the highest level of liberation.
Kaivalya Pada (Liberation)
The exact meaning of Kaivalya is isolation, but in sutras it is symbolic of ultimate liberation. The final chapter talks about the experience of attaining moksha. It talks about the reality and the experiences of this final stage. Kaivalya pada talks about illumination of mind and the art of mastering the mind that comes, when one has achieved Kaivalya.
Thus yoga sutras covers the complete basics of yoga and talk about the various steps, benefits, problems, components and facts of yoga and gives you reasons on why you must practice this form.
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