Episode 385: Chapter 2, verses 57, 58 and 59

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a seminal text in yogic philosophy, composed of 196 aphorisms that guide the reader through the principles and practices of yoga. The text synthesizes various traditions, including Samkhya, Abhidharma Buddhism, and ancient ascetic practices. It describes the eight limbs of yoga (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi) as the means to achieve a state of consciousness free from active or discursive thought, leading to liberation from material suffering and the cycle of birth and death. The sutras emphasize the distinction between Purusha (the Self) and Prakriti (non-self, matter), and the practice of samyama (concentration, meditation, and contemplation) to attain higher consciousness and ultimate freedom.

The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata. It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu. The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action). The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice.

The Aitareya Upanishad is a primary ancient Upanishad that forms part of the Aitareya Aranyaka of the Rigveda. It is divided into three chapters and contains 33 verses. The text discusses three main philosophical themes: the creation of the world and man by the Atman (Universal Self), the threefold birth of the Atman, and the essence of Atman as consciousness. It emphasizes that the Atman is the sole reality and the source of everything, and it contains the famous expression 'Prajnanam Brahma' (Knowledge is Brahman). The Upanishad teaches that one can attain immortality through the knowledge of Brahman and the realization of the unity of the individual self with the Supreme Self.