Reflections on Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

The popularity that Yoga is enjoying today is beyond doubt. This ancient discipline which originated in India thousands of years ago, is fast acquiring a phenomenal global presence. As Yoga finds increased acceptance in every continent, students from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths embrace this simple yet practical philosophy. This has led many to embark on a quest to discover the philosophical foundations of Yoga, through the Yoga Sutra-s of Patanjali. Revered as the father of Yoga, Patanjali was indeed a great yogi. His Yoga Sutra-s which comprise 195 aphorisms, encapsulate the principles of Yoga and their relevance in life. These aphorisms which are presented in four chapters, are brief and yet pregnant with meaning. The message contained in the Yoga Sutra-s is regarded as the last word on Yoga so much so that no study of Yoga can be deemed complete without a study of the Yoga Sutra-s. Cryptic and profound, the Sutra-s can be understood and interpreted at varying levels of intensity. It takes a competent master to interpret the Sutra-s accurately and in relation to the contemporary context. This translation by TKV Desikachar, son and student of the legendary T Krishnamacharya, and a world renowned Yoga master in his own right, offers a lucid explanation that stimulates reflections on this work and its impact on our lives. This edition also includes two unique sections that offer great value addition to the readers. One section presents the Yoga Sutra-s with chant notations to help people recite the Sutra-s. The other is an index of all the words that appear in the text, along with the Sutra (s) in which they occur, for easy reference.