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  • Published: 1 November 2018
  • ISBN: 9781786781406
  • Imprint: Watkins
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 186
  • RRP: $29.99

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Essential Yoga Texts for Spiritual Enlightenment



Composed by the famous Indian sage sometime between the first and third centuries CE, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali sets forth the practical and philosophical foundations of Raja Yoga. These aphorisms clearly mark out the path to Self-Realization, and their influence has been profound throughout the millennia. They are still regularly used today by those interested in the Yogic approach to self-knowledge and are open to anyone of any religion. The Sutras are presented here in a free form translation, with an insightful running commentary that makes them easily understandable to the modern reader and yoga practitioner.

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.

  • Published: 1 November 2018
  • ISBN: 9781786781406
  • Imprint: Watkins
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 186
  • RRP: $29.99