The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali [Paperback] Edwin F. Bryant

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.

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.

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 researchedI wish there were pictures otherwise its great

The detailed study as well as the depth of understanding of Patanjali Yoga Sutras is visible as you read the book. Really excellent work by Edwin Bryant in understanding the previous - age old commentaries and putting it in undertandable english for the readers.NOTE: If you are looking to go into the depth then only you read this

It has commentaries from yogacharyas, give you right perceptive instead of Advaitized or Vedantized commentaries.

Written by collating some of the best traditional Indian commentaries on the Yoga Sutras, this book is an absolute gem for a serious spiritual aspirant. It lays threadbare the entire workings of the mind, its connection with the soul, the mechanics of samsara, karma, rebirths, sufferings etc. Like a step-by-step journey into how to reach the ultimate goal. Very scientifically presented in a proper sequence, they are an essential read for all spiritual aspirants whether they be of the jnana/bhakti/karma paths. The bool also clears many deep terminologies like chitta, aham, asmita, klesha etc. A thorough grounding in these fundamentals will surely help any aspirant.