Book 1 :Sutra 1
I will start out each study with me outlining the Hindi words translated through Iyengars translation of the sutra’s in his book Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
Atha – a prayer
yoga – union, contemplation on the Supreme Spirit
Anusasanam – guidance codes of conduct in ones ethical and spiritual life
Then I will post the sutra itself, from the same translation in bold:
“With Prayers for divine blessings, now begins and exposition of the sacred art of yoga”
Then I will explain the sutra with a brief outline from Iyengar and my own prayer and reflection on the sutra:
This sutra is a prayer for blessing over this book and a bird’s eye view of how we should live our lives, in prayer and devotion to God (the Supreme Spirit). Here Patanjali begins his teachings by asking to be guided by God.
Then I will compare it to what the Bible says on this topic, subject or beleif:
The Bible ask’s us to do the same thing. There is one God of love who made the heaven and the earth and 2500 years ago when Patanjali first subscribed these teachings I am not sure who was speaking to him, from my prayers and willingness to be shown the Truth from Christ, in the past 5 years God has pressed no fear on my heart but a deeper trust in Him and his body. It is on my heart that Patanjali was praying to God the Father, the one God when starting this petition for guidance when writing this book. But no matter his understanding of God, all things not of God are meaningless (Ecclesiastics 1:1) and this concept of not doing anything without first seeking God’s Truth and blessings in prayer before moving forward is a steadfast truth that God does ask of us.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (King James)
I will conclude with my conclusion – please take your conclusion to God – for I am sharing a finding and a study and am limited by my own human nature. God is the supreme judge.
From what I have read and what God has shown me, in my eyes this sutra and the Bible’s message are in agreement.
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