Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 eternally relevant, immediately resonant November 27, 2008
A timeless classic, to be returned to throughout one's life, throughout the year, to frame the day. My copy dates to the first printing, Dec. 1969, one of the survivors from countless relocations. The commentary draws on a rich variety of other sources to illuminate Patanjali's Sutras, such as this one, from Taoist scriptures: "Heaven arms with compassion those whom it would not see destroyed." Patanjali's yoga aphorisms (otherwise known as Sutras) are cumulative, and are clarified by the commentators' scholarship and frequent references to the explanations of Swami Vivekananda, who held classes on Patanjali's Sutras in the early 20th century.
REAL Yoga instruction September 23, 2008
1. Best book on spiritual growth and Yoga I have ever read, by far, out of many dozens. I would give it 20 stars if I could. This book is spot on. Brief, to the point, and powerful. No new Age fru fru stuff in here - this is for someone who really wants to start a disciplined spiritual practice that really will lead them somewhere. Amazing.
2. Those of you who still think putting your foot behind your head and holding perfect mula banda makes you an advanced Yogi need to read this book. Yoga has little to do with postures, and Patanjali, the patron saint of Yoga, makes that clear. Patanjali is to Yoga what Lao Tsu is to Confucianism. There are only two references to asanas in the entire body of sutras (186 of them) and both of those refer only to a sitting position.
3. In India, this book is sold by the Ramakrishna Math as "Patanjali Yoga Sutras" by Swami Prabhavananda, and then it mentions Christopher Isherwood as a co-author. so its unclear to me who actually wrote the commentary.
Simply Excellent August 30, 2008
The first I heard of Patanjali's aphorisms was through George Harrison's song 'Brainwashed' which captions thoughts on the Soul. Intrigued, I searched this book out and had a beautiful and subtle enhancement to my meditation practices as a result.
I recommend this book, which was co-authored by two Vedanta followers (for more about Vedanta please see http://www.vedanta.org/wiv/overview.html)of quite diverse backgrounds. It is an exceptionally readable text.
Excellent introduction to Yoga philosophy and practice March 3, 2008
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali have here been freely translated, in an understandable way, avoiding too many technicalities often found in translations of Sanskrit works. Terms from Vedanta philosophy, better known to many, have been used, and in the comments other interesting sources are quoted, e.g. 'The Way of a Pilgrim' and Sri Ramakrishna. Highly recommendable.
Union with God June 10, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book teaches yoga in its true form. Yoga in America is not the same; it is Hatha Yoga that is used solely to have a healthier body. It is godless yoga. The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali reminds us the goal of yoga. How did the Western world forget that yoga means union with God instead of extensive stretching and standing on your head? When people talk to me about yoga, they don't see it as union with God. Yoga is a way of life, and can be applied in all areas. Hatha Yoga is body preparation, Bhakti Yoga is devotion, Karma Yoga is dedicated work, Jnana Yoga is spiritual discrimination, and even though it is not talked about in this book much, Tantra Yoga is using sex to reach this union! As you can see how yoga falls into so many categories and different aspects, of our life, Patanjali has created his own yoga: Raja (or Royal) Yoga, which incorporates all other yogas. When reading this book, you will see how, through yoga, anything can be accomplished. The power of God is omnipotent, ans through this union with Him, you will also have this omnipotence. This book is the manual to true yoga.
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