Attributed to the sage Patanjali (c. 2nd century BCE–4th century CE), the Yoga Sūtras are a compact, authoritative manual of classical (rāja) yoga in 196 aphorisms across four padas. Rooted in Sāṅkhya thought and refined by later commentators like Vyāsa, it maps the mind’s liberation: chitta vṛtti nirodha (quelling mental fluctuations) leading to kaivalya (freedom). Key themes include the five kleshas (afflictions), the eightfold path (aṣṭāṅga—yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi), siddhis (powers), and ethical self-discipline. Today the Sūtras remain a concise, practical guide for meditation, mental resilience, and a deeper, ethical approach to yoga beyond postures—timeless counsel for inner clarity and well‑being.