Atha Yoga anushasanam
Now, the teaching of Yoga.
This is the First verse of Yoga Sutra by Petanjali. This book has very short verses and is made with the goal to attract the attention of the reader.
first of all we start with ”Atha” and this words mean ”now. With this short words, Petanjaly try to take your attention and want that your thoughts are left behind. Now it means, we focus in this lecture, Now is the time to focus in Yoga.
The second word is ‘Yoga” and this word it means union, is 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 that 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 of the practice and discipline that the practice itself it gives to us.
This is the comment that I have, I wish to know your thinking about it.
If you haven’t read yet Yoga Sutra and you are already practicing, step back. Buy the book, I suggest in your native language, because is a very deep book and take your time in reading it. This book shouldn’t be rush but should be understood and is 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.