This excellent translation, including line drawings and charts, a glossary of technical terms, and a complete translation of the Yoga Darshana Upanishad, begins with a brief description of the metaphysical and religious history on which Yoga is based. Varenne discusses the theoretical conception of Yoga as the search for liberating knowledge, concluding with a brief indication of the physical practices and extra-yogic themes such as Kundalini and Tantrism. It is the author's hope that " those who read (this book) will come to realize that it is in fact dishonest to reduce Yoga to some sort of physical training, or to just an occult doctrine; it is a ' world view' a Weltanschauug that comprehends reality in its totality".

Contents:

List of Illustration

Preface

Introduction 

Part One. Man and the Universe
1.  The Cosmic Order
2.  Man as Analogue
3.  Sarvam Duhkham

Part Two. In Search of the Absolute
4.  Knowledge
5.  The Migratory Bird
6.  From Yogas to Yoga

Part Three. The Royal Art
7.  Taming the Body
8.  Dissolving the Mind
9.  Seeing God Face to Face

Part Four. The Eternal Feminine 
10. The Divine Couple
11. The Subtle Body
12. The Power of the Serpent

Conclusion

Yoga Darshana Upanishad

Notes

Glossary

Suggestions for Further Reading

Index