The "Yoga Sutras" of Patanjali is a classic, fundamental yoga scripture whose influence has survived through the yoga tradition to this day. This is perhaps the first attempt to record the philosophy of yoga in writing – around the 2nd century BCE in ancient India. The text consists of 196 sutras – concise, expressive aphorisms containing the deepest truths and wisdom of yoga, the most complex yoga ideas, and practical principles.

The sutras provide guidance on how to attain inner peace and spiritual wisdom, describe the obstacles that may arise on the path of yoga, and indicate how to overcome these obstacles. It also discusses the functioning of the human psyche and how the mind affects a person's life experiences. Thus, it is a universal teaching, still relevant today with its insights for practitioners of various cultures walking the path of spiritual self-improvement.

The "Yoga Sutras" of Patanjali were translated from Sanskrit and commented by Mai Ram – a spiritual teacher, founder of the Mai Ram Yoga ashram in Vilnius, who nurtures the Natha yoga tradition and has translated and prepared translation of several yoga scriptures and practice guides.