Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Sadhana Pada Mean?
Sadhana Pada is the second chapter of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras — a collection of texts that forms the foundation of classical yoga philosophy. Written about 400 C.E., the Sutras — a Sanskrit word that means “threads” — are organized into four chapters and total 196 sutras, which are short verses or pieces of wisdom.
Sadhana means “spiritual practice,” so this second chapter focuses on the steps the yogi can take to reach a state of union with the divine or higher Self.
Yogapedia Explains Sadhana Pada
Sadhana Pada describes Kriya yoga (yoga of action) and the steps to eliminate worldly suffering and reach a yogic state — a process known as The Eight Limbs of Yoga, or the eight-fold path (Ashtanga yoga).
The eight limbs introduced in Sadhana Pada are:
- Yamas (ethical standards)
- Niyamas (self-disciplines)
- Asana (poses)
- Pranayama (breathing techniques)
- Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (absorption into the object of focus)
Sadhana Pada further elaborates on the first five limbs.
The Yoga Sutras begin with Samadhi Pada, which describes what yoga is; followed by Sadhana Pada; and then Vibhuti Pada, describing the benefits of yoga; and Kaivalya Pada, explaining the concept of liberation or freedom from suffering.
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