Providing an explanation of the practical and philosophical foundations of Raja Yoga, The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali is arguably the most important text on Yogic philosophy. The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali is widely regarded as the most authoritative text on yoga. It comprises a collection of 196 Indian sutras (“threads” – as sutra translates from Sanskrit) written 1,700 years ago. These threads or aphorisms were compiled by the Indian sage Patañjali and offer guidelines for living a meaningful and purposeful life. The book is organized into four parts and provides descriptions of the eight limbs of yoga, such as pranayama and asana. The translated text is presented alongside a clear and insightful commentary by Swami Vivekananda, which makes them more accessible to the modern reader and yoga practitioner. His message of universal brotherhood and self-awakening remains relevant today, especially in the current backdrop of widespread political turmoil around the world.
Excerpt from Yoga Sastra: The Yoga Sutras of Patenjali Examined; With a Notice of Swami Vivekananda's Yoga Philosophy It has been the unhappy lot of India to have had for thousands of years a succession of teachers who palmed off their crude ideas as inspired. The result has been, in the words of Sir H. S. Maine, "false morality, false history, false philosophy, false physics." All educated Hindus will admit that the history, geography, and astronomy of the Hindu sacred books are egregiously wrong. In the following pages it is shown that belief in Yoga powers and charms is equally mistaken. Marvellous power may indeed be acquired, but not by Yoga. The reader is advised to follow the course pointed out at page 58. "Awakened India," instead of adopting the Fowl or Tortoise Upset Posture, with his eye fixed on the tip of his nose and seeking "the suppression of the transformations of the thinking principle," should rather endeavour to have his muscles braced like those of Prince Ranjitsinhji, his faculties of observation cultivated like those of Professor Bose, his ability to weigh evidence developed like that of Dr. Bhandarkar. Instead of a dreamy pessimism, let there be active benevolence. Thus would India advance in civilization with a speed before unknown. "Above all, let the deep religious feeling of the Hindu mind be wisely directed. Let the Bhakti Yoga have for its object the loftiest ideal of majesty, wisdom, goodness and purity. Such is the great Creator and Lord of the Universe." About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Translation and commentary of one of the most important texts of the Kashmirian Shivaism tradition of Tantra • Author was a student of the late Kalu Rinpoche • Explores the transmission of Mahamudra, the Great Cosmic Gesture • Includes the Vijnanabhaïrava Tantra, which contains the totality of the oldest source text on Yoga The Spandakarika, the "Tantric Song of the Divine Pulsation," is said to have been transmitted directly to the sage Vasugupta from the hands of Shiva on Mount Kailas. In his commentary on these fifty-two stanzas, the sage Ksemaraja described them as the heart of the Mahamudra. The oldest masters of Spandakarika viewed everything in the universe, including matter, as consciousness and created a yoga practice in accordance with this realization. The sacred dance of Yoga Spandakarika, Tandava, is extremely subtle and difficult, requiring thousands of hours of practice to master, yet it surpasses any other physical practice, allowing the practitioner to touch the divine inner pulse. Once its third stage has been mastered, the yogi or yogini is able to manifest the dance of Shiva in space, a tradition visible in the statuary of Tantric temples in India and Tibet. Energy is no longer contracted by the perception of duality, and the mind and body become unbounded, forming a sphere that contains all that was formerly outside. In Yoga Spandakarika Daniel Odier passes on these vanishing teachings as he received them from his Tibetan master, Kalu Rinpoche, and Kashmiri yogi Lalita Devi.
Providing a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga--the path of concentration and meditation--a new deluxe printing of a collection of timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again by seekers treading the spiritual path. Reprint.
A classic work of Indian philosophy that succinctly spells out how the mind works and what is needed to attain liberation. In 196 short aphorisms, this classic work of Indian philosophy succinctly spells out how the mind works and how it is possible to use the mind to attain liberation. The Yoga-Sūtra is a road map of human consciousness and a helpful guide to the mental states that one encounters in meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. Chip Hartranft’s translation and extensive, lucid commentary bring the text beautifully to life. He also provides useful auxiliary materials, including an afterword on the legacy of the Yoga-Sūtra and its enduring relevance for us today.
Embark on a transformative journey into the path of yoga with "Patanjali Yoga Sutra" featuring Swami Vivekananda's profound insights. Prepare to delve deep into the ancient wisdom of yoga as Vivekananda illuminates the timeless teachings of Patanjali, guiding readers on a path of self-discovery, inner peace, and spiritual enlightenment. As you explore the sacred text of the Yoga Sutras, be prepared to uncover the secrets of the mind, body, and soul. Vivekananda's interpretation offers clarity and guidance, helping readers understand the essence of yoga philosophy and its practical applications in daily life. But amidst the vast ocean of spiritual wisdom, one question arises: What transformative power lies within the teachings of Patanjali, and how can they help us navigate the complexities of modern existence? Join Vivekananda as he demystifies the ancient scriptures, offering practical insights and timeless wisdom that can empower individuals to overcome obstacles, cultivate inner strength, and achieve true liberation. Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening? Prepare to be inspired by the profound teachings of "Patanjali Yoga Sutra" with Swami Vivekananda. Don't miss the opportunity to unlock the transformative power of yoga in your life. Dive into this sacred text now, and let Vivekananda's insights illuminate your path to spiritual fulfillment and inner peace. Seize the chance to deepen your understanding of yoga philosophy and practice. Purchase your copy of "Patanjali Yoga Sutra" today and embark on a journey of self-transformation and spiritual evolution.
This book presents contemporary scholarship on the Yoga Sūtra. It revisits Patañjali’s philosophy by bringing it into dialogue with contemporary concerns across a variety of topics and perspectives. Questions regarding the role of the body in the practice of classical yoga, the debate between the realistic or idealistic interpretation of the text, the relation between Yoga and other Indian philosophical schools, the use of imagination in the pursuit of self-knowledge, the interplay between consciousness and nature, the possibilities and limitations of using it as a therapeutic philosophy, the science of meditation, and overcoming our fear of death probe the many dimensions that this text continues to offer for thought and reflection.
In The Secret Power of Yoga, world-renowned Yoga expert Nischala Joy Devi interprets Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the principles at the basis of Yoga practice, from a heart-centered, intuitive, feminine perspective, resulting in the first translation intended for women. Yoga is well known for its power to create a healthy body, but few realize the emotional and spiritual benefits. Devi’s simple, elegant, and deeply personal interpretations capture the spirit of each sutra, and her suggested practices offer numerous ways to embrace the spirituality of Yoga throughout your day.
Composed over two millenniums ago, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali remains the philosophical thread that unites the ancient and current world of yoga. Yet, its many translations are underwhelming, lacking connection to reality and practicality. Innumerable forms and sects of yoga have come and gone in between. Obsessed with gaining special powers over mind and body, yoga’s re-tellers have clouded its history in a mystical mist of fantastic claims. It is human nature to crave powers to radically change our lot in life. These layers of dazzle and glitter have over the centuries led us further away from yoga’s spiritual core. The sutras’ clear, logical, and practical path has been blurred and lost. Radically breaking with this mystical tradition, A. K. Aruna seeks to reclaim for us this fountainhead of yoga by retying the understanding of these sutras to the even more ancient source of spiritual knowledge and yoga—the Upanishads. The Upanishads eschewed limited pursuits in order to seek an ultimate goal that was not time-bound. In this still pure form of the yoga of seeking ultimate, timeless truth, the words of Patanjali become crystal clear and practical. Yoga shines in timeless relevance. A. K. Aruna’s Patanjali Yoga Sutras: A Translation in the Light of Vedanta Scripture has brilliantly refocused the light on the Yoga Sutras. This is a companion, translation only, booklet to the Translation and Commentary version of the text by A. K. Aruna.
Note that due to the limitations of some ereading devices not all diacritical marks can be shown. BKS Iyengar’s translation and commentary on these ancient yoga sutras has been described as the “bible” of yoga. This edition contains an introduction by BKS Iyengar, as well as a foreword by Godfrey Devereux, author of Dynamic Yoga.
