Course Description:

This course is an in-depth study of Patañjali’s Yoga Darśana, based on the Vyāsa Bhāṣya and Bhoja Vṛtti, as translated and expounded by Prof. Dr. Ravi Prakash Arya. Termed as the Science of Psycho-engineering, this course unveils the Vedic foundation, metaphysical clarity, and scientific rigor of Yoga philosophy, disentangling it from modern misinterpretations and popular simplifications.

The course offers a comprehensive understanding of the aim of Yoga, the eightfold (Aṣṭāṅga) path, the five mental modifications (vṛttis), the concept of Īśvara, the methods to control the mind, and the metaphysical basis of liberation (kaivalya). It is rooted in the Vedic tradition, highlighting the Yoga-Sāṅkhya synthesis and its relevance for self-realization and the transformation of human consciousness.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Understand the Vedic origin and philosophical context of Yoga.

Interpret the Yoga Sūtras based on Vyāsa and Bhoja commentaries.

Analyze key Yogic concepts like citta, vṛtti, kleśa, samādhi, and kaivalya.

Develop a foundational understanding of psycho-engineering as taught by Patañjali.

Discern between classical Vedic Yoga and its modern distortions.

Apply key meditative and introspective techniques in personal discipline.

Target Audience:

Seeker of Indian philosophy and Vedic science

Students of Yoga studies and Sanskrit

Advanced practitioners of Yoga

Philosophers and seekers interested in metaphysics and psychology

Curriculum designers and educators in Indic studies

Duration:

12 weeks (3 hours/week – 36 hours total)

Mode:

Online (Video lectures, live sessions, assignments, and discussions)

Modules & Syllabus:

Module 1: Introduction to Yoga Darśana and Vedic Philosophy (Week 1–2)

Yoga in the context of the Ṣaḍ-Darśanas

Relation of Yoga with Sāṅkhya: theory vs. practice

What is psycho-engineering? Why Yoga is not mere posture or ritual

Vedic purpose of Yoga: Mokṣa through Viveka-khyāti

Patañjali: Historical positioning and distinction from Pāṇini’s commentator

Text Sections to Read:

• Preface (pp. 5–10): Philosophical greatness of Vedic India
• Introduction (pp. 18–22): Six Darśanas and role of Yoga
• "Yoga as Psycho-engineering": Concept explanation

Focus Points:

• Origin of Darśana thought
• Vedic metaphysics vs. modern interpretations
• Role of philosophy in shaping civilization

Module 2: Structure and Foundation of the Yoga Sūtras (Week 3)

Overview of the four Pādas: Samādhi, Sādhana, Vibhūti, Kaivalya

Concept of Yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ: Aims and philosophical implications

Sanskrit and terminological study of key sūtras

Importance of commentaries: Vyāsa Bhāṣya and Bhoja Vṛtti

Text Sections to Read:

• “The Yoga-tradition” (pp. 22–24)
• Samādhi Pāda: Sūtras 1–2 (योगः चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः etc.)
• Historical context of Patañjali

Focus Points:

• Antiquity of Yoga & Sāṅkhya
• Patañjali vs. Bhaṣyakāra vs. Mahābhāṣyakāra
• Reverse engineering of the soul (disembodiment)

Module 3: Chitta and Its Modifications (Vṛttis) (Week 4)

Five types of vṛttis: pramāṇa, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidrā, smṛti

Chitta, manas, buddhi, ahaṅkāra: A Vedic psychological framework

Role of saṁskāras and purging of memory

Concept of pratyakṣa, anumāna, and āgama in cognition

Text Sections to Read:

• Samādhi Pāda Sūtras 3–11
• Discussion on:
  • Citta, Vṛtti, Saṁskāra
  • Fivefold modifications (प्रमाण, विपर्यय, विकल्प, निद्रा, स्मृति)

Focus Points:

• Sanskrit grammar of Sūtras
• Diagram of vṛttis (see Fig. 1)
• Types of pramāṇa: perception, inference, śabda

Module 4: Kleśas and Afflictions of the Mind (Week 5)

Five kleśas: avidyā, asmitā, rāga, dveṣa, abhiniveśa

How kleśas distort perception and obstruct liberation

Psychological engineering for their reduction (tanūkāraṇa)

Text Sections to Read:

• Sādhana Pāda Sūtras 2.3–2.9
• “Kleśas or Afflictions of Mind” section (pp. 44–47)

Focus Points:

• In-depth reading on Avidyā, Asmitā, Rāga, Dveṣa, Abhiniveśa
• How these afflictions create bondage

Module 5: Methods for Citta-Nirodha: Abhyāsa and Vairāgya (Week 6)

Abhyāsa (persistent effort) and vairāgya (detachment) explained

Two types of Vairāgya: Vaśīkāra and Para

Methods of cultivating a sāttvika mind: friendliness, compassion, joy, indifference

Obstacles to Yoga and their remedies

Text Sections to Read:

• Samādhi Pāda Sūtras 12–16
• Vairāgya types: Vaśīkāra & Para (Sūtra 16; commentary pp. 28–30)
• Diagram of nine obstacles (see Fig. 2)

Focus Points:

• Practice and detachment as twin tools
• Meaning of tṛṣṇā and its role in bondage

Module 6: Īśvara-Praṇidhāna and Concept of Īśvara in Yoga (Week 7)

Īśvara as Puruṣa-viśeṣa, eternal teacher (ādi-guru)

'OM' as the vācaka of Īśvara

Role of surrender in yoga; contrast with bhakti traditions

Scientific significance of 'praṇava'

Text Sections to Read:

• Samādhi Pāda Sūtras 23–29
• “Concept of Iśvara in Yoga Philosophy” (pp. 34–36)
• Meaning of praṇava – OM as vācaka

Focus Points:

• Iśvara as Puruṣa-viśeṣa (Sūtra 1.24)
• Role of Īśvara in self-realization
• Spiritual surrender (praṇidhāna) without dogma

Module 7: Kriyā-Yoga: Preparatory Yoga (Week 8)

Three-fold path: Tapas, Svādhyāya, Īśvara-praṇidhāna

Austerity: Mental, verbal, and physical (as per Gītā)

Importance of Svādhyāya (scriptural study)

Significance of karma-yoga in Yogic path

Text Sections to Read:

• Sādhana Pāda Sūtras 1–2
• “Kriyā-Yoga or Preparatory Yoga” (pp. 40–44)
• Tapas, Svādhyāya, and Iśvara-praṇidhāna

Focus Points:

• Three-fold austerity (śārīrika, vāṅmaya, mānasika) from Gītā
• Svādhyāya as spiritual reflection
• Iśvara-praṇidhāna in context of Jñāna-Yoga

Module 8: Aṣṭāṅga Yoga: The Eightfold Path to Liberation (Week 9–10)

Yama and Niyama: Ethical foundations

Āsana: Beyond postures, for dhāraṇā

Prāṇāyāma: Breath and mind connection

Pratyāhāra: Withdrawal of senses

Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Samādhi: The inner journey

Text Sections to Read:

• Sādhana Pāda Sūtras 28–55
• Begin Aṣṭāṅga Yoga exposition
  • Yama & Niyama (see relevant verses)
  • Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Pratyāhāra
  • Commentary on their ethical grounding

Focus Points:

• Moral foundation of Yoga as dharma
• Relationship with mental stability and purification

• Role of posture and breath in psycho-discipline
• Practical techniques (Nāḍi Śuddhi, etc.)
• Prāṇa and manas control link

Module 9: Vibhūti Pāda – Yogic Powers and Their Control (Week 11)

Saṁyama: The fusion of dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi

Siddhis and their philosophical implications

Warnings against attachment to powers

The subtle body and suprasensory experiences

Text Sections to Read:

• Vibhūti Pāda: Sūtras 1–55
• “Types of concentration” and diagrams (Fig. 7)
• Commentary on:
  • Saṁyama, Siddhis, ethical warnings
  • "How a Yogi becomes invisible"

Focus Points:

• Super-sensory experiences as mind stabilizers
• Saṁyama and its power in yogic mastery

• Spiritual use vs. distraction through siddhis
• Ethical outlook of Yogadarśana

Module 10: Kaivalya Pāda – The Goal of Yoga (Week 12)

Definition of Kaivalya (complete liberation)

Purusha–Prakṛti separation

Final realization of self as sat–cit–ānanda

Yoga as returning from embodiment: metaphysics of disembodiment

Text Sections to Read:

• Kaivalya Pāda: Complete (Sūtras 1–34)
• Review: "Science of Disembodiment" section
• Metaphysical end of Yoga: separation of Puruṣa and Prakṛti

Focus Points:

• The final freedom (kaivalya) and end of rebirth
• Purification of Chitta = reflection of Puruṣa
• Liberation without dependence on deity or ritual

Optional Weekly Activities:

• Sanskrit word study (vṛtti, kleśa, praṇava, etc.)
• Diagram reviews (vṛtti types, obstacles, siddhis, etc.)
• Meditation & reflection exercises (OM chanting, prāṇāyāma practice)
• Discussion prompts based on readings

• Assessment:

Weekly quizzes (20%)

Mid-term essay (20%)

Participation in discussion forums (10%)

Final examination (essay + conceptual understanding) (30%)

Presentation on a selected Yogic topic (20%)

Reading Material:

Primary Text:

The Yogadarśana: The Science of Psycho-engineering

By Prof. Dr. Ravi Prakash Arya (Vyāsa Bhāṣya and Bhoja Vṛtti based)

Supplementary:

Satyarth Prakash – Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Bhagavad Gītā – By Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya (With focus on Yoga chapters)

Sāṅkhya Darshan by Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya – For metaphysical grounding