The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the foundational texts of yoga philosophy, does not directly address “love” in the way we commonly understand it as romantic or emotional love. Instead, it presents a broader, more universal perspective on love, compassion, and connection, emphasizing qualities that lead to harmony, inner peace, and union with the divine. Here’s how the Yoga Sutras relate to love:

Key Sutras Related to Love
  1. Sutra 1.33 – Cultivating the Four Attitudes
    This sutra provides practical guidance for maintaining emotional balance and positive relationships with others. It states:

    “Maitri karuna mudita upekshanam sukha dukha punya apunya visayanam bhavanatah citta prasadanam.”

    Translation: “By cultivating attitudes of friendliness (maitri) toward the happy, compassion (karuna) for the suffering, joy (mudita) toward the virtuous, and equanimity (upeksha) toward the non-virtuous, the mind becomes serene.”

    • Maitri (Friendliness/Loving-kindness): Extending goodwill and love to others, especially those who are happy and thriving.
    • Karuna (Compassion): Feeling empathy and a deep sense of care for those who are suffering.
    • Mudita (Joyful Resonance): Celebrating the success and virtues of others without jealousy or resentment.
    • Upeksha (Equanimity): Remaining neutral and calm toward those who behave poorly or negatively, without judgment or attachment.

    These attitudes are expressions of universal love and foster a sense of connection and harmony with others.

    Love as Selfless Action: Karma Yoga

    The Yoga Sutras emphasize detachment from the fruits of one’s actions, a principle that reflects selfless love:

    • Sutra 2.47 – Surrender of Ego:
      Patanjali speaks about surrendering personal ego and dedicating one’s actions to a higher purpose (Ishvarapranidhana). This surrender aligns with unconditional love, where actions are performed without expectation of reward, fostering a pure and selfless connection with others.
    Love as Oneness and Union

    The essence of yoga itself is union (yuj, to yoke). In this sense, love is inherent in the yogic path because it involves:

    • Union with the Divine: The practice leads to an experience of universal love, where distinctions between self and others dissolve.
    • Connection to All Beings: As practitioners progress, they experience love as a state of universal compassion and interconnectedness, where the boundaries of “I” and “you” blur.
Ahimsa: Love through Nonviolence
  • Sutra 2.35 – Ahimsa (Non-Harming):
    When one is firmly established in ahimsa, or nonviolence, it creates an atmosphere where others feel safe and peaceful. Practicing ahimsa is a profound expression of love for all beings, rooted in care, kindness, and respect.
Love Beyond Attachment

The Yoga Sutras caution against attachment (raga), which can distort love into possessiveness or dependency. Instead, they guide practitioners to cultivate a love that is free, expansive, and rooted in inner contentment (santosha). This type of love is not bound by ego or expectations but flows naturally from a state of inner peace.

In summation, love is not confined to romantic or personal relationships but is viewed as:

  • A universal quality expressed through kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.
  • A selfless act, free from attachment and ego.
  • A way to connect with the divine and recognize the unity of all beings.

Through these principles, yoga teaches us to embody love in its purest, most universal form!