योग सूत्र, or the "Yoga Sutras," is a collection of 196 aphorisms written by the ancient sage Patanjali. These texts serve as a foundational guide for the practice of yoga and philosophy, outlining the principles and techniques for achieving mental clarity and spiritual growth. The Yoga Sutras are divided into four chapters, each addressing different aspects of yoga, including ethics, meditation, and the nature of consciousness. They emphasize the importance of self-discipline, mindfulness, and the pursuit of inner peace, making them relevant for both practitioners and scholars of Hinduism and Buddhism.