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86 reviews for:
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda
Swami Satchidananda
4.22 AVERAGE
86 reviews for:
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda
Swami Satchidananda
4.22 AVERAGE
The author, Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, a direct disciple of the world-renowned sage, saint and enlightened master Swami Sri Sivananda Maharaj, the founder "archarya" of Divine Life Society headquartered in Rishikesh.
The author was a Hindu teacher, spiritual master and yoga adept, who gained fame and a huge following in the West. He had written scores of highly philosophical, spiritual, practical books and manuals for aspirants, yoga practitioners and everyone keen on getting a handle on abstruse and esoteric subjects that, hitherto, been the interest and preserve of the highly intellectual and serious spiritual people.
Among his celebrated works is the "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", which is a collection of Sanskrit Sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga written by the sage, Patanjali, who synthesised and organised knowledge about yoga from much older traditions.
The Sutras have been widely translated from the medieval era to this day. Although the first person who had brought them to the attention of the West was Swami Vivekananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, in my opinion, the sages who made them laudably accessible to the hoi polloi were Swami Satchidananda and, of course, his illustrious Guru, Swami Sivananda, who has written extensive commentaries on Patajali's Sutras in His "Raja Yoga", which is another consequential work that anyone who is interested in Astanga Yoga ought to, not read, but pore over.
The "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", published in 1978, contains accurate translations, transliterations with useful diacritical marks, and insightful commentaries by Swami Satchidananda, who has elucidated the 200 terse aphorisms, which at first blush would ordinarily not make much sense to the uninitiated.
In consideration of his Western disciples, for whom the swamiji conducted the satsangs on the Sutras (which were later compiled into the present book form), the author provided examples and anecdotes that they can easily relate to. Aspirants who have studied "How to Know God, the Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" and Taimi's "The Science of Yoga" would attest to the observation that Swami Satchidananda's commentaries on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is singularly par excellence!
I particularly admire his exposition of Sutras 1:17, 1:42-47 and 3:2. These are difficult aphorisms, at least for me, which the author had effortlessly expatiated upon with useful and accurate illustrations and examples.
In his Preface, Swami Satchidananda has The Yoga Sutra "had helped (him) in very many situations" having given him "invaluable guidance at many points" in his spiritual journey. Warning his readers that the "Yoga Sutras" is "not just a book to be quickly read and then tossed away", the mahatma reminded us that it is rather "practical handbook" that should be in the hands of every sincere spiritual aspirant who wants to make sense of the pain and pleasure of our phantasmagoria on earth.
In much the same vein, I should like to say that Swami Satchidananda's "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" is not a text that can be casually read and cast away, adding to the Goodreads' reading list. It is a manual that should be in the hands of all serious sadhaks who want to cotton on to the myth and mysteries of our sojourn on earth. It is my considered view that it should be regularly consulted until one is safe from trudging in the mire of Maya.
The author was a Hindu teacher, spiritual master and yoga adept, who gained fame and a huge following in the West. He had written scores of highly philosophical, spiritual, practical books and manuals for aspirants, yoga practitioners and everyone keen on getting a handle on abstruse and esoteric subjects that, hitherto, been the interest and preserve of the highly intellectual and serious spiritual people.
Among his celebrated works is the "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", which is a collection of Sanskrit Sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga written by the sage, Patanjali, who synthesised and organised knowledge about yoga from much older traditions.
The Sutras have been widely translated from the medieval era to this day. Although the first person who had brought them to the attention of the West was Swami Vivekananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, in my opinion, the sages who made them laudably accessible to the hoi polloi were Swami Satchidananda and, of course, his illustrious Guru, Swami Sivananda, who has written extensive commentaries on Patajali's Sutras in His "Raja Yoga", which is another consequential work that anyone who is interested in Astanga Yoga ought to, not read, but pore over.
The "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", published in 1978, contains accurate translations, transliterations with useful diacritical marks, and insightful commentaries by Swami Satchidananda, who has elucidated the 200 terse aphorisms, which at first blush would ordinarily not make much sense to the uninitiated.
In consideration of his Western disciples, for whom the swamiji conducted the satsangs on the Sutras (which were later compiled into the present book form), the author provided examples and anecdotes that they can easily relate to. Aspirants who have studied "How to Know God, the Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" and Taimi's "The Science of Yoga" would attest to the observation that Swami Satchidananda's commentaries on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is singularly par excellence!
I particularly admire his exposition of Sutras 1:17, 1:42-47 and 3:2. These are difficult aphorisms, at least for me, which the author had effortlessly expatiated upon with useful and accurate illustrations and examples.
In his Preface, Swami Satchidananda has The Yoga Sutra "had helped (him) in very many situations" having given him "invaluable guidance at many points" in his spiritual journey. Warning his readers that the "Yoga Sutras" is "not just a book to be quickly read and then tossed away", the mahatma reminded us that it is rather "practical handbook" that should be in the hands of every sincere spiritual aspirant who wants to make sense of the pain and pleasure of our phantasmagoria on earth.
In much the same vein, I should like to say that Swami Satchidananda's "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" is not a text that can be casually read and cast away, adding to the Goodreads' reading list. It is a manual that should be in the hands of all serious sadhaks who want to cotton on to the myth and mysteries of our sojourn on earth. It is my considered view that it should be regularly consulted until one is safe from trudging in the mire of Maya.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
“In mind, God; In the hand, work.”
This book is on the suggested reading list of Yoga With Adriene’s Adriene Mischler. It’s the fourth book on the list that I’ve read.
While this book is called The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it does not include all of Patanjali’s yoga sutras. Instead, it contains select sutras, as well as commentary on most of the select sutras. Sri Swami Satchidananda provides the translation and commentary.
Sutra literally means “thread”, but here its used more to mean yoga aphorisms. And yoga here is not hatha yoga (physical yoga, poses), or at least that’s not the focus. The book is more focused on raja yoga. In my limited (but growing!) understanding, raja yoga is the science/philosophy/cosmology/practice of yoga, with the ultimate goal of yoga being union with what the translator calls “the Absolute,” and a serene mind in all conditions.
These kinds of texts have a lot of offer, so any summary will be incomplete. However, for the sake of giving potential readers an idea of what to expect, here are some select quotes:
“The practice of meditation is not done just for your own peace but is done because with a peaceful mind you can go into the world and serve well,” (p. 26).
“What does a candle burn and melt away? To give light. Why does an incense stick burn to ash? To give fragrant…Why should we human beings alone lead selfish lives? We are here to give and give and give,” (p. 26).
“Every time you do something, feel, May this be dedicated to God,” (p. 78).
Paraphrase: Your true Self doesn’t need yoga; your Ego does. Your Ego needs to be taught that to be happy; serve others. Lead a dedicated life (p. 222).
slow-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I felt a lot of the commentary felt outdated for modern society, then for books 3 and 4, the author decides to skip commentary for most of the sutras altogether! I purchased this book as part of yoga teacher training and now I wish I'd purchased another translation.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the most important primary source Yoga texts. If you are serious about learning about yoga, it is imperative that you read this book. After reading this book you will have a much better understanding about Yoga than the average practitioner in the west. Do yourself a favor and read this book. Then reread it a few times.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced