The Sanskrit word sutra conventionally means “thread” or “string.” However, in its contextual use—particularly in reference to ancient texts known as sutra-shastra (texts composed in the sutra style), such as The Yoga Sutra of Sage Patanjali—it metaphorically signifies a highly concise and technical format of writing. This style of writing evolved in ancient India and flourished for a really long time.

The term sutra is defined as follows:

1. Etymologically, — The word sutra is derived from the Sanskrit root षिव् (śiv), meaning to sew. Hence, सूत्रयति ते इति सूत्रः — that which stitches or threads together is called a sutra. The term is also related to:

• Sūci (सूचि) meaning needle or list, and
• Sūnā (सूना) meaning woven.

Note: The English word “suture” comes from the Latin sūtura (meaning “to sew”), which in turn derives from the same Sanskrit root as the Sanskrit word sūtra (सूत्र).

2. सूचना त्रायते इति सूत्रः — That which protects through instruction. In this sense, a sutra is a concise instructional thread that preserves and transmits knowledge.

Following are the six characteristics that together constitute this format of writing:

1. अल्पाक्षरम्/Alpākṣaram : Minimum letters, precise & concise.
2. असन्दिग्धम्/Asandigdham : Doubtless i.e. unambiguous.
3. सारवत्/Sāravat : Meaningful, i.e. quintessential     
4. विश्वतो-मुखम्/Viśvato-mukham : Multifaceted.
5. अस्तोभम्/Astobham : coherent (logical and consistent); devoid of ‘stobha’.
6. अनवद्यम्/Anavadyam : irrefutable,
   blemishless.

Note: A sutra text appears to be woven like a grid or formed/structured like the thread itself. A thread is made up of different component fibers entwined together, expressing an inherent connectivity and continuity. Similarly, there runs a connecting thread of ideas from the beginning of a sutra text to the end. And perhaps this is why this format of writing is called a SUTRA.

Types of Sutras:

 संज्ञा च परिभाषा च विधिर्नियम एव च ।
अतिदेशोऽधिकारश्च षड्विधं सूत्रलक्षणम् ॥
Saṃjñā cha paribhāṣā cha vidhirniyama eva
cha । Atideśo’dhikāraścha ṣaḍvidhaṃ
sūtralakṣaṇam॥ 

1. Saṃjñā : technical statement, which assign a particular term to a given entity.
2. Paribhāṣā : interpretive statement, which regulate proper interpretation of a given statement or its application.
3. Vidhi : operation statement, which state a given operation to be performed on a given input.
4. Niyama : restriction statement, which restrict the scope of a given rule.
5. Atideśa : extension rules, which expand the scope of a given statement, usually by allowing the transfer of certain properties which were otherwise not available.
6. Adhikāra : heading statement, which introduce a domain of rules sharing a common topic, operation, input, physical arrangement

Classification of Sutra Literatures:

In the chronological development of ancient Vedic literature, the Sutra texts appear toward the end, marking the conclusion of this literary tradition. The Sutra-shastra (sutra-style texts) is classified into three main types-

• Shrauta Sutra
• Grihya Sutra, and
• Dharma Sutra.

Notable Discrepancies in Sutra Enumeration Among Ancient Commentators:

1). According to Vijnanabhikshu, Sutra No. (3.20) is part of the commentary, not a separate sutra.

2). Sutra No. 3.22 is a primary textual discrepancy. Some commentators consider it a separate sutra, while others see it as part of Sutra 3.21 in Vyasa’s commentary. Those who see it separately for them chapter third will have 56 sutra in total.

3). Sutra No. 4.16 has not been accepted in sutra form by the commentator Bhojaraja. It is possible that it is part of the commentary itself, as noted by Dr. Ramashankar Bhattacharya in his commentary on Hariharananda’s Bhāsvatī. Those who upholds this view for them fourth chapter will have 33 sutras in total.

Note: Sage Vyasa was the first commentator on the Yoga Sutras, and his commentary is regarded as the most authoritative. Consequently, most subsequent commentaries are either direct sub-commentaries on Vyasa’s work or acknowledge its authority. According to Swami Veda Bharati, Suresh Chandra Shastri, and the Pātañjalayogapradīpikā published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Vyasa’s commentary covers 195 sutras. For this reason, these sources recognize 195 sutras in the Yoga Sutras.

A Final Word from My Master:

Sage Vyasa (the first commentator, who must have been a Rishi himself) When he wrote a sentence that is almost like a sutra, it was as if he were filling in a gap in the original work. Later commentators, perhaps out of over-enthusiasm, sometimes took that sentence and presented it as if it were another sutra. If you come across one of those editions, you might not realize that it was not an original sutra. ~ H.H. Swami Veda Bharati.

OM Tat Sat…