Product Description This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. This new deluxe printing of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again by seekers treading the spiritual path. The classic Sutras (thought-threads), at least 4,000 years old, cover the yogic teachings on ethics, meditation, and physical postures, and provide directions for dealing with situations in daily life.
Great BookOctober 2, 2008 This is the greatest book I have ever seen. Please don not miss this book. Full and knowledge and wisdom.
great reading!September 29, 2008 This is a great translation. It is good for reading one or two sutras with translation/comments daily. Spiritually very nourishing. I highly recommend it.
Lots of Info but Friendly and AccessibleJuly 28, 2008 I am not a Sanskrit scholar and I don't read Sanskrit but was interested in learning about the philosophy behind yoga. I got this book and have been happy with it.
Each sutra (aphorism) is written in Sanskrit. Then it is transliterated (phonetically spelled out) into an English so one can get an idea of how it sounds. Next individual words are translated. Then the whole phrase is translated into English so one can know what it means. Below that are a few paragraphs explaining the sutra or giving additional thoughts and insights.
I found this useful for many reasons:
I think the Sanskrit writing is beautiful, so I like seeing it. The phonetics help me know how to pronounce and follow along when more learned people are chanting or talking about the sutra using the Sanskrit words (as my yoga teacher often does). The individual word translations give me an idea of what Patanjali had in mind, and the full English gives me an idea of how we might think of it today. (If you speak more than one language you know how things don't always translate directly word for word).
I found the commentaries very insightful and thought provoking.
This book is a great starting point in getting to know the yoga sutras, but also has a lot of substance for those already familiar with them. Even if you never read Sanskrit, with this book you can get an idea of what the sutras are saying and learn the lessons they are trying to teach. the commentaries are insightful and interesting. Highly recommended.
Outstanding Translation and CommentaryJune 30, 2008 I am a Sanskritist and Vedic scholar. I have seen a number of translations of this classic but this is BY FAR my favorite. This book serves as a stand-alone guide for meditation and yoga.
A classic book that is necessary for any yogi's library.January 31, 2008 This book is a wonderful introduction to the yoga sutras. Other interpretations on the sutras should be compared to this in my opinion.
