Yoga Bhāṣya

The Yoga Bhāṣya (Commentary on the Yoga Sūtras) is the earliest and most authoritative commentary on Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, attributed to Vyāsa.

Overview

Composed around the 4th or 5th century CE, the Yoga Bhāṣya provides the foundational interpretation of the Yoga Sūtras and establishes the orthodox (orthodox) understanding of classical Yoga philosophy. It is sometimes called the “Vṛtti” and is considered as authoritative as the Sūtras themselves.

Content and Structure

The Yoga Bhāṣya explains each sūtra of Patañjali in detail, providing philosophical context, definitions, and elaborations. It interprets the Yoga Sūtras through the lens of Sāṃkhya metaphysics while maintaining the distinctively theistic orientation of Yoga. The commentary addresses the nature of consciousness, the causes of suffering, the eight limbs of yoga, and the nature of liberation.

Significance

The Yoga Bhāṣya is the standard commentary for all traditional interpretations of the Yoga Sūtras. It was further commented upon by Vācaspati Miśra (Tattvavaiśāradī), Bhoja Rāja (Rājamārtanda), and Vijñānabhikṣu (Yogavārttika), creating a chain of authoritative interpretation that continues to this day.

Verification Notes

• Traditional attribution to Vyāsa (the same figure associated with the Vedānta Sūtrasic/vedanta) Sūtras); historicity debated.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).