Patanjali Yoga Sutra #1

Atha Yoganushasanam

Now, the discipline of yoga [begins].


It is common for hindu texts to open with a sentence that serves as a title of subject or chapter that is about to be taught. The first word Atha marks the beginning, in a somewhat sacred way. The second word, Yoga, basically places a name to the subject. When Patanjali researched, and collected the knowledge from various forms of yoga to compile as yoga sutras, he found an unorganized and scattered set of practices. Patanjali draws a line in the sand on the unified name to be used going forward. 

Yoga is usually meant to mean 'union' - a union of body and mind and soul etc. However, the purpose of yoga, according to Patanjali, is not to unite, but to identify and separate out the various parts which has gotten mixed up over time. Etymologically, it could go back to 'yuj', which means 'to discern', and fits better with where Patanjali is headed.

The third word, Anushasanam, translates to 'discipline'. It can also represent continued teachings. Whichever one we go by, yoga is a practice, and yoga sutras operate as a practice manual. 

This sentence is also similar to a common practice of simply announcing what class the students are in, or which book they are reading. If you are in the wrong one, go find the one you should be in! 

So, here it goes... 

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