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The truth simply told

To say that the “Yogasutra”, Patanjali’s ancient collection of verses on the core philosophy of yoga, is shrouded in mystery is an understatement. Its origin is the stuff of mythology, and its densely packed four chapters of Sanskrit are hardly light reading for the average yoga enthusiast.

But its lessons are essential for an understanding of what the practice of yoga can achieve beyond just physical fitness, say Alagu Muthu and D.V. Sridhar, authors of the new book, ‘The Song of Truth: An essence of the Yogasutras of Patanjali’.

“I remember the day I first read the 15th sutra, on the causes of sorrow,” says Muthu, who studied yoga at the school founded by Sridhar in Chennai, Yogaraksanam. “It woke me up to the wisdom of Patanjali who, among other things presents a well-thought out programme to overcome sorrow.”

Those other things include the path to recognising and reducing negativity in the mind, achieving mental clarity and eventually, the sense of freedom that comes from total self-awareness, according to the authors. Patanjali has also described in detail the Ashtanga or the eight-fold path of yoga (comprising of Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) and the Siddhis or powers of yogis can achieve (controlling hunger, levitation, walking over thorns, etc.).

Unfortunately, the Yogasutra is today hardly required reading for the millions who’ve taken to it as the latest fitness fad.

“When I was travelling abroad, I found that it had been reduced to the purely physical level with classes such as ‘dance yoga’ or ‘power yoga’, and was saddened to see that its true purpose as outlined by Patanjali had been sidelined,” says Alagu, who teaches yoga to children and has also worked with the visually challenged for years.

The reason for that is perhaps the nature of the text itself and its several translations, says Sridhar: “The form in which the original sutras are written is hard to follow, and far too many books written about them tend to take a high philosophical plane that does not reach the common man.”

That is why “The Song of Truth” is written as a series of poems and explanations in the simplest language. “It’s a simple book that aims to introduce the philosophy of yoga to beginners so that they’ll want to learn more,” says Sridhar.

Some believe that the Yogasutra was first recited by Lord Vishnu to the sun god, others believe that Lord Siva taught it to Parvati and was overheard by a fish, and still others that it came from Lord Brahma. Its origins may be lost in the mists of time, but it seems like the ancient lessons contained in it will continue to be passed on.

Wellsaid

Take care of your body with steadfast fidelity. The soul must see through these eyes alone,

and if they are dim, the whole world is clouded.

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