
Atha Yoga anushasanam
Now, teaching of the Yoga.
This is the First verse of Yoga Sutra by Petanjali. This book has very short verses and it’s made by the goal to attract the attention of the reader.
first of all we start with ”Atha” and meaning of this word is ”now. With this short words, Petanjaly is trying to took your attention and want you to left your thoughts behind. Now it means, we focus on this lecture, Now is the time to focus on Yoga.
The second word is ‘Yoga” and meaning of this word is union,the second starting point of your journey. From ”Now” you should focus on the union (Yoga) of the Body, Mind and Soul. Certainly, without this second word with the actual meaning of Yoga, there is any effect but just simple stretching.
The third word is ‘anushasanam’. This is a statement which means practice. If we don’t surrender to the practice of ”Yoga”, ”Now”, there is not a reason to start reading this book. By practicing we are not talking about what exactly means. We are focusing more on Surrender by the practice and discipline that the practice itself gives to us.
This is the comment that I have, I wish to know your thoughts about it.
If you haven’t read yet Yoga Sutra and you are already practicing, step back. Buy the book that I suggest on your native language, because it’s a very deep book and take your time for reading it. This book shouldn’t be rush but should be understood and ti’s part of the path of Yoga, can be slow, can be quick; it doesn’t matter.
What it matters is to read and surrender.
Namaste.
A small correction:
Anushasasam means “Instruction”, not a practice. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are instructions to those who want to follow the path of “Ashtanga Yoga”. Thus, they are short and brief. Not because they want to attract readers. They are short because they are instructions. There is a difference between a Treatise and instruction set. This is instruction manual, not a Treatise or commentary.
Thank you again.. I will check about it what you have just told me.