Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Contrary to popular opinion in Western Yoga circles, Patanjali was not the “father” of Yoga. He was a preceptor who, looking back on a long line of teachers and teachings, undertook the systematization of the yogic path in the light of his own experience and understanding of Yoga theory and practice. He encoded his ideas in concise form in the Yoga sutras. With the passage of time Patanjali’s Yoga system came to be considered as one of the six classical systems of Hindu philosophy. The present volume on the yoga-sutras of Patanjali (Sadhana-Pada) was published in 1984. It was highly acclaimed as a work of rare authenticity, based on thirteen Sanskrit commentaries, Synthesized and studied in the light of the oral tradition and direct personal experience in the master-disciple lineage of the yogis. The value of the present volume on the Sadhana-Pada is further enhanced by adding the study of some more published Sanskrit commentaries as well as unpublished manuscripts. Seven lengthy appendices add to the value of the work as the material presented in these appendices can be further researched and enhanced to form independent theses. The author makes certain that the works of the previous commentators are examined in the light of how the Sutras are taught in the Himalayan caves to those who practice the various methods and are initiated into them.