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.
Browse Patanjali by topic
Patanjali on God
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“The Yoga of action , leading to union with the soul is fiery aspiration , spiritual reading and devotion to Ishvara .”
Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom], p. 24.
Patanjali on Happiness
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Attributed to Patanjali:
“Suffering that has not yet come is to be avoided.”
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“Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy , compassion for the unhappy , delight in the virtuous , and indifference toward the wicked .”
Patanjali , in Being Consciousness Bliss: A Seeker's Guide , p. 205.
Patanjali on Justice
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“When right posture ( asana ) has been attained there follows right control of prana and proper inspiration and expiration of the breath .”
Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom”, p. 136.
Patanjali on Knowledge
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“Patanjali , in “Yoga and You” [ citation needed ]”
Yoga is the cessation of movements of the mind . Then there is abiding in the seer 's own form. -
“Asanas bring perfection in body , beauty in form , grace , strength , compactness , and the harness and brilliance of a diamond .”
Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom”, p. 135. -
“Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom”, p. 135.”
Asanas bring perfection in body , beauty in form , grace , strength , compactness , and the harness and brilliance of a diamond . -
“Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom], p. 24.”
The Yoga of action , leading to union with the soul is fiery aspiration , spiritual reading and devotion to Ishvara . -
“Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom”, p. 136.”
When right posture ( asana ) has been attained there follows right control of prana and proper inspiration and expiration of the breath . -
“The posture assumed must be steady and easy”
Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom”, p. 133. -
“Patanjali , in “The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom”, p. 133.”
The posture assumed must be steady and easy -
“The wisdom obtained in the higher states of consciousness is different from that obtained by inference and testimony as it refers to particulars.”
Patanjali , in Hinduism , p. 63. -
“Peace can be reached through meditation on the knowledge which dreams give. Peace can also be reached through concentration upon that which is dearest to the heart.”
The Mahābhāṣya
Patanjali on Life
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“When a man becomes steadfast in his abstention from harming others, then all living creatures will cease to feel enmity in his presence”
The Mahābhāṣya
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.”
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“Yoga is the cessation of movements of the mind . Then there is abiding in the seer 's own form.”
Patanjali , in “Yoga and You” [ citation needed ] -
“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence . When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature , which is unbounded Consciousness . Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind.”
Patanjali , in East of existentialism: the Tao of the West , p. 266.
Patanjali on Time
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“One becomes firmly established in practice only after attending to it for a long time, without interruption and with an attitude of devotion .”
Patanjali in Ashtanga Yoga Sutra I.14, in Ashtanga Yoga: Practice & Philosophy , p. 154. -
“It is only when the correct practice is followed for a long time, without interruptions and with a quality of positive attitude and eagerness, that it can succeed .”
Patanjali , in The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice , p. 133. -
“Yoga takes you into the present moment , the only place where life exists.”
Patanjali , in "Being Consciousness Bliss: A Seeker's Guide", p. 205.
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.”