atha yogānuśāsanam
'Now begins an exposition of the sacred art of yoga.'
- Patañjali Yoga Sūtra I.1
This very first sutra, or perhaps even the very first word of this first sutra, is enough to attain enlightenment. (After all, Patanjali designed his yoga sutras to benefit first those who are at the brink of success in yoga, and to later assist those who need more guidance.) This first word, ‘Atha,’ translates as ‘now.’ It contains the greatest secret of yoga: that enlightened perfection never exists in the past nor the future, but always in the present moment.
- Patañjali Yoga Sūtra I.1
This very first sutra, or perhaps even the very first word of this first sutra, is enough to attain enlightenment. (After all, Patanjali designed his yoga sutras to benefit first those who are at the brink of success in yoga, and to later assist those who need more guidance.) This first word, ‘Atha,’ translates as ‘now.’ It contains the greatest secret of yoga: that enlightened perfection never exists in the past nor the future, but always in the present moment.