Around 4000 years back there was deterioration in the morality and the interpretation of the Sutras resulting in other kind of thought patterns emerging and a complete break down of the fabric of the Vedic Society.

Sage Patanjali, who was also the incarnation of Shesha Nag (the companion of Lord Vishnu), took birth as a small serpent during the prayers of his mother in her hand (Anjali), hence, the name Patanjali. As there is a purpose to every birth, the purpose of the incarnation of the Shesha Nag was to the beings of Kal-Yuga (the last of the four Yugas) thus ending the Mahayuga.

A summary of what the Vedas were. This summary is considered as the path of salvation and is as powerful with the present day beings as was the knowledge of the Vedas for the people of Satya - Yuga (the first Yuga).

Yoga normally is understood as complicated postures and breathing exercises, on the contrary, Yoga is a union with your true self which as per the Yoga Sutras is attained by removing the hyper activity of the body and breath. In other words, "stilling" the breath naturally (Keval kumbak); and "stilling" the body in one posture (Sukham sthiram asanam).

The reader will be surprised to know that in the Yoga Sutras, no asanas are described. The Patanjali Yoga Sutras is a scientific way which goes much beyond even the ambit of the modern day psychology and para-psychology. The techniques prescribed for example, "stilling the mind" are phenomenally effective and could teach a lot to the modern day psychologists. For example, Verse 33 suggests a positive attitude to outward entities and Verse 34 suggests the restrain of breath. The modern day psychologist understands the disturbances caused in the body by regular breathing. Deep and rhythmic breathing induces mental tranquility. Verse 37 suggests focusing your faculties on someone who has achieved a higher state of awareness like a Yogi. This is a fundamental of modern psychiatry as it is also based on the complete patient-doctor trust. Verse 39 suggests meditation and it only very recently that modern medical science has understood this form of therapy.

Swami Satyananda translates certain Yoga Sutras as:

2.3 - The basic tensions of the mind are basic ignorance of truth, ego, attachment, aversion and fear of death. Thus, summing up the entire cause of human unhappiness

2.4 - Defines the implications behind the basic tension. Ignorance of reality is the root tension from which all other tensions arise. The tensions can be "dormant", "slight", "scattered" or "manifest". Ignorance of one's real nature is the basic cause of tension and unhappiness as per the Yoga Sutras.

Tensions act at different levels. They are either:

• Dormant (Prasupta) rooted deep in the subconscious mind which you are not yet aware of. They will be confronted as perceptions become deeper through Yoga.
  
• And then, Slight (Tanu), means insignificant tensions.
  
• Scattered (Vichhina), tension that bring neurotic problems- phobias and depressions in life. Yoga will eventually resolve them by allowing you to accept yourself and be in harmony with yourself.
  
• Manifest (Udara), these are conscious. Tensions which one easily recognizes in daily life and the affect of which mostly is born as stomach disease.

As we have seen these tensions on the spectrum as the most gross to most subtle.

In 2.5, Patanjali gave ignorance as the basic tension. Ignorance can be caused by taking imperishable as perishable, contaminated as the pure and pristine, unhappiness as happiness and your- self as the real -self. Hence, the basic cause of unhappiness is lack of knowledge of one's real self.

As one's limited mind is the source of ignorance. Ignorance is dispelled by gaining more knowledge of the mind and eventually transcending the mind.

Ignorance also leads to egoism which Verse 2.6 gives. Egoism can be defined as wrong identification of the Purusha with the instrument of the mind and body. Identification with your mind and body leads to isolation as an individual. The penalty is frustration and unhappiness, since ego is always in relation to somebody else and is impossible to satisfy.

Attachment with the pleasures of the world (Raga) and repulsion with the things of what others possess (Dwesha). Raga and Dwesha leads to conflict and unhappiness and these lead to further fear of death.

In Yoga Sutras, Patanjali says the fear of death is the basic and dominating force even for the learned.

In 2.10 and 2.11, Patanjali says that the causes of unhappiness can be got rid by resolving them at the source. And removing the associated mental states through meditation. Thus, meditative techniques prescribed in the Yoga Sutras become a very powerful source of understanding mind and body and going beyond both.

Patanjali says that without the insight and experiences of the insight, unhappiness cannot be cured; so, the Sutras gave causes of unhappiness and the ways to remove them. It is mind-boggling to think that four and a half thousand years back when the entire world was supposedly ruled and controlled by barbarians, there in the Himalayas was a Saint who gave such words of wisdom and who understood the human mind and body with such great accuracy. And the effects of practicing these techniques is so profound that one has to wonder and accept the supremacy of these beings who lived at that time.

The Yoga Sutras are to the point, words have been very sparingly used for the wealth of knowledge which one finds in them has not been understood. The hidden meanings have not been understood even by the master brains of today.

The Yoga Sutras consist of four parts:

The first is the Samadhi part, a total of 51 Sutras. In this chapter, Patanjali describes the purpose of Yoga, the mental modifications, the path of practicing and Vairagya, the Samprajnata and Asamprajnata, defines Ishvara, subtlest of the subtle, talks about the obstacles to progress and how to harmonize the mind and finally the Sabija and the Nirbija Samadhi.

The second part, the Sadhana part which is basically the practice consists of 55 Sutras. It discusses the various kind of Kleshas (tensions, problems and conflicts). And how to remove them and why to remove them. Awareness and path to intuitive knowledge and finally the five limbs of Ashtanga Yoga : Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara.

The next chapter, the Vibhuti part consists of 56 Sutras basically deals with the psychic part which a sadhak develops on practicing the final three limbs of Ashtanga yoga which are : Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.

The development of the psychic powers of the practitioner is the main focus of this chapter.

The final chapter, the Kaivalya part consists of 36 Sutras and deals with the differentiation of the individual and the cosmic mind, the theory of karma, the theory of unity of collective consciousness of all things. Various kinds of perceptions of the mind and the path to Kaivalya.

It is amazing to find that the logic given by Patanjali is faultless and the description precise. This entire system is what is "Yoga". It has been observed that now-a-days various aspects of this Yoga have been misrepresented and has been commercialized with have led to the subject loosing its efficacy and into a business from pure Sadhana - says Yogi Ashwin ji, Let's leave business to company boardrooms, shops, and market places, Yoga is a sadhna not a business.

For the Yoga Sutras and the exact definition you may read Swami Satyananda Parmahansa translation or you may contact Dhyan Foundation and we will give you the translated version as given by various saints down the ages.