The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

A key translation and interpretation of Yoga Sutras. It's my go to reference book on the subject of Yoga. The author is a scholar who has compared and cross referenced multiple interpretations of important scholars from the past. He has such depth of understanding of various Indic systems and brings together complex ideas in simple words. Must read for anyone interested in spiritual growth.

In my opinion, this is the best book in English on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. If you are a student of Yoga, you should definitely buy this book and thoroughly digest it. Bryant gives an academically rigorous, yet respectful view of the Yoga Sutras. He doesn't offer (too many) interpretations of his own, though it is clear that he is a practitioner of yoga himself (and especially drawn towards the Vaishnavaite viewpoint). Instead, he bases his work entirely on the classical commentaries of vyAsa, vAchaspati mishra, bhoja rAja, shankara, vijnAna bhikShu, and hariharAnanda. He even mentions al-Biruni's commentary on the Yoga Sutras in places. His presentation is very modern, so modern readers will find it easy to follow the language of the book. And yet, he uses the classical Sanskrit technical terms, which is a huge help as many of these terms don't have exact English translations. I often find that foreign authors shy away from classical Sanskrit terms for the fear of putting off their readers. This is usually a mistake, because, after all, Sanskrit terms are not foreign to the English language (e.g., karma, dharma, mokSha, nirvANa, etc.), and they are usually easy to pronounce. But more importantly, they convey the accurate sense of the intended concept. As Bryant says in his introduction, the author's aim was to write a book that gives an academically rigorous and yet readable book on the Yoga Sutras that will be of interest to both practitioners and scholars alike. In my oipnion he has succeeded in his goal splendidly. I would suggest that a serious student of yoga read a book such as this (i.e., a compilation of the viewpoints by classical commentators) along with the experiential account of a bona fide modern practitioner of yoga (such as BKS Iyengar, Satchidananda, or Vivekananda). These two types of books (i.e., the practitioner's and the scholar's views) give you the full picture of the true import of Patanjali's work. Of course, a complete understanding will take direct lessons from an accomplished guru in addition to your own practice. But books will have to suffice until we meet these two sources of knowledge. Bryant's book will be a great help to anyone in their yoga journey. Just go ahead and buy it. You won't regret doing so.

A great and must have book. Eliminates misconception between real Yoga and Yoga in true sense

The book has a good explanation of the sutras. It's more of an academic point of view. Commentaries of different school of thoughts in one book. Great work by the author.

Amazing… highly researched I wish there were pictures otherwise its great

Brilliant explaination of each sutra by the author(Edwin F. Bryant). This commentary logically summarized the views of many ancient commentators (such as vyasa, vachaspati etc ) and vedic scriptures, and accurately concluded what the great Patanjali truely intended in these highly complex philosophically-dense succinct sutras. Right understanding and following of Patanjali yoga-sutras will surely lead one to the highest purpose of life, in optimal path.

Excellent book.

quality of print and pages are not good at all...content of book is obviously awesome...

Just what I needed.

L'autore interpreta i vari sutra con l'aiuto dei più importanti commentari esistenti: libro fondamentale solo per i veri studiosi del raja yoga, lo yoga della meditazione

It you want a highly intelligent and clear explanation of The Yoga Sutras without all of the academic dialogue and unhelpful commentary .....this is book s your best choice. I bought 3 copies of it to give to my friends who are ready to read it.

a bit of wear and tear

Love it