
. Sutra 1: Introduction to yoga Atha: now therefore; yoga: (regarding) yoga; anusasanam: complete instructions Now, therefore, complete instructions regarding yoga. Atha: We shall pause and try to find out why the author has used the word atha. He could have used atha yoganu shasanam, which means, 'here are instructions on yoga', but he used the word atha. Atha means 'now therefore', which means that these instructions on yoga are in connection with some previous instructions. The word atha is used here to denote that, after having purified oneself by karma yoga and after having unified the mental tendencies by bhakti yoga, the aspirant is being given instructions on yoga. By this, it is meant that those instructions on yoga which follow will become intelligible, fruitful and also palatable to those whose hearts are pure and whose minds are at rest, otherwise not. Those who have impure minds and wavering tendencies will not be a...