My Favorite Scripture Passage . . .

The First Three Verses of Patanjali's Yoga-Sûtra in Sanskrit-English Translation

Samâdhi-pâdaï

I.1
atha yogânuåâsanam
atha = now
yoga = process of yoking; union
ânuåâsanam = teaching, exposition

Now, the teachings of yoga.


I.2
yogaå citta-vëtti-nirodhaï
yogaï = process of yoking; union
citta = consciousness
vëtti = patterning, turnings, movements
nirodhaï = stilling, cessation, restriction

Yoga is to still the patterning of consciousness [or "alteration of patterns of sense vibration"].


I.3
tadâ draæøuï svarûpe ‘vasthânam
tadâ = then
draæøuï = seer, witness, pure awareness
svarûpe = own essence, identity
avasthânam = state of abiding

Then, pure awareness can abide in its very nature.