By Courtney Elmes
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are renowned in the yoga world for being one of the ultimate guidelines to our practice. When I first came across the sutras 7 years ago, I read a version that didn’t resonate so much. At the time this ancient text was written, it was mostly for and by men, which could very well be the reason why the teachings didn’t fall into place so easily for me. And yet in today’s world, we find that the majority of practitioners are women.
So, why specifically didn’t I connect to the original translations? Personally, they felt too rigid – something was missing. The word sutra is connected to the English “suture” – meaning a thread that sews things together. I didn’t know what was lacking in connecting these threads until I found another version of the guidelines recommended by a friend: ‘The Secret Power of Yoga – A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras’, by Nischala Joy Devi. This version truly opened me up to the world I was seeking to delve into further.
Sanskrit is a rich language, imbued with meaning, allowing for even more depth to be added to an original statement. Let’s take a look at the more widely-known interpretations of the first 3 sutras and compare them to the more feminine approach in this book…
1.1 Atha Yoga Anushasanam
Original: Now, the teachings of Yoga.
Feminine: With humility (an open heart and mind), we embrace the sacred study of Yoga.
1.2 Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodhah
Original: Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
Feminine: Yoga is the uniting of consciousness in the heart.
1.3 Tada Drashtuh Svarupe Vasthanam
Original: Then, the seer abides in their own true nature.
Feminine: United in the heart, consciousness is steadied, then we abide in our true nature – joy.
Note that where the usual translations would say “mind” and “thoughts”, the author has instead chosen to focus on “consciousness” and “heart”. She mentions the fact that in Hindi the word ‘translation’ means telling the story in another way. In this case, it is less from the logical side of the brain and more from the emotive and creative side.
I found this so very refreshing. The essence of the sutras is thus described in a way that I could truly feel in my very being, rather than wrestling to decipher the concepts. While both versions offer valuable insights, the original translations may be more suited to those wishing to study the scripture in a more analytical and structured framework, whereas the feminine take may allow us to foster a deeper spiritual connection.
As practitioners, we are empowered to choose a path that resonates with our own individual journey, whether it be through the feminine or the masculine lens – after all, we each have both parts within us. By embracing the fusion of both perspectives, we can cultivate a more holistic understanding of the Yoga Sutras, bringing about a harmonious balance between the heart and mind on our transformative path of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
