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Available
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Publication
Signet, New American Library
Description
The aphorisms collected in this book, first published in 1953, were composed by Patanjali, a great Indian sage, over 1,500 years ago, and here translated into clear English prose. The accompanying commentary interprets the sayings for the modern world, and in doing so gives a full picture of what yoga is, what its aims are, and how it can be practised.
User reviews
LibraryThing member fglass
This is book of aphorisms (teachings) by Patanjali. He restates yoga philosophy and its practice in "bite-size" sentences. Christopher Isherwood and Swami Prabhavananda are credited with the translation and commentary of each aphorism.
What is an aphorism:
"11. The knowledge which is gained from
[Commentary:] Here Patanjali describes the two kinds of knowledge: knowledge obtained through mediation of the senses and the reason, and knowledge obtained by direct superconsciousness experience. . . ."
The commentary and aphorisms continue by defining and discussing each new thought and/or word and always building to the next aphorism.
What is an aphorism:
"11. The knowledge which is gained from
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inference and the study of scriptures, is knowledge of one kind. But the knowledge which is gained from samadhi [an intense state of concentration, achieved through meditation] is of a much higher order. It goes beyond inference and scriptures.[Commentary:] Here Patanjali describes the two kinds of knowledge: knowledge obtained through mediation of the senses and the reason, and knowledge obtained by direct superconsciousness experience. . . ."
The commentary and aphorisms continue by defining and discussing each new thought and/or word and always building to the next aphorism.
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LibraryThing member mykl-s
-not the best translation
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1953
Physical description
224 p.; 15 cm
Local notes
HM