The 21 Best Quotes From the Yoga Sutras
nspiration for so much of the practice of Yoga as we know it today, the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali are the foundational books of knowledge of understanding around what yoga is, why it’s practiced and how it’s applicable within our lives.
What are the Yoga Sutras?
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of books forming the theory and practice of Yoga by Patanjali.
Qualifying to be a quote from the Yoga Sutras
We’ve selected the quotes in this article below based on their informative and insightful nature and of course simply because they are staff favorites.
The 21 Best Quotes from the Yoga Sutras
“In the presence of one firmly established in nonviolence, all hostilities cease.”
“To one established in Truthfulness, actions and their results become subservient.”
“To one established in non-stealing, all wealth comes.”
“By one established in continence, vigor is gained.”
“When non-greed is confirmed, a thorough illumination of the how and why of one’s birth comes.”
“Niyama consists of purity, contentment, accepting but not causing pain, study of spiritual books, and worship of God [self-surrender].”
“By purification arises disgust for one’s own body for contact with other bodies.”
“By austerity, impurities of body and senses are destroyed and occult powers gained.”
“When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite [positive] ones should be thought of. This is pratipaksa bhavana.”
“The sources of right knowledge are direct perception, inferences and scriptural testimony.”
“Misconception occurs when knowledge of something is not based upon its true form.”
“An image that arises on hearing mere words without any reality [at its basis] is verbal delusion.”
“By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous and disregard toward the wicket, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.”
“Asana is a steady, comfortable posture.”
“Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in earnestness.”
“By lessening the natural tendency for restlessness and by meditation on the infinite, posture is mastered.”
“Calm is retained by the controlled exhalation or retention of the breath.”
“Dharana (concentration) is the binding of the mind to one place, object, or idea.”
“Dhyana (meditation) is the continuous flow of cognition toward that object.”
“Sleep is the mental habit characterized by the absence of form.”
“Moreover, one gains purity of sattva, cheerfulness of mind, one-pointendess, master over the senses, and fitness for self-realization.”
Final Thoughts on Quotes from the Yoga Sutras
Really, there are so many more great quotes from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. This is just scratching the surface and related to the first couple of books within the full Sutras. We highly recommend checking out the entire series and we hope it helps you better your practice and life!
