Patanjali Quotes
Patanjali was the Indian sage to whom the Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of the Yoga school of Indian philosophy, are attributed. The Sutras present a concise and systematic account of the practice and goal of yoga, defined at the outset as the stilling of the fluctuations of consciousness. The quotes below are attributed to Patanjali, organized by topic.
Patanjali on Happiness
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Attributed to Patanjali:
“Suffering that has not yet come is to be avoided.”
Patanjali on Mind
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Attributed to Patanjali:
“Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.”
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Attributed to Patanjali:
“Practice and detachment are the means to still the movements of consciousness.”
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Attributed to Patanjali:
“By cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, joy toward the virtuous, and equanimity toward the non-virtuous, the mind retains its undisturbed calmness.”
Patanjali on Truth
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Attributed to Patanjali:
“Then the seer abides in his own true nature.”
Patanjali on Virtue
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Attributed to Patanjali:
“Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, continence, and non-greed: these are the great vows of yoga, valid in every condition.”