The Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali

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The present book comprises the Sanskarit text in Devanagari and transliteration and English translation of the Yoga Sutras's of Patanjali, an introduction, an appendix and notes on each sutra based upon several authentic commentaries all in English. The introduction is refreshingly topical.The doctrine of the Guna's -the four fold developmental theory namely physical, mental, moral and spiritual. The eight limbs of yoga, mantra, and laya yogas and their utilities in the present system have been discussed in details. The book shows how the sutras of Patanjali are nearer to Raj Yoga rather than Hatha Yoga.

THE following pages are prepared with the view of replacing Govindadeva Sastrin's translation of the Yoga-sutras published by the Theosophical Society. Owing to the too literal method followed by the translator, that book is of little use to the general student. The American revision of it is no improvement, inasmuch as it is not based on an accurate study of the original. Dr. Rajendralala Mitra's scholarly translation published in the Calcutta Asiatic Society's Series is a literal rendering of Bhoja; and is open, more or less, to the objection of not being useful to the general reader. With the view, therefore, of preparing a clear explanation of the Yoga-sutras suited to the wants of the general reader, without omitting whatever is critical in the several commentaries, I have prepared the following. I have given a literal translation of the Sutras adding explanatory notes drawn from various sources.

A SYSTEM of Ethics not based on a rational exposition of the laws of Nature and their bearing on the problems of human life and conduct is of no practical value. It is only a system of the Ethics of individual opinions and individual convenience. It has no solidity and therefore no strength. The aim of human existence is happiness and progress, and all systems of Ethics teach men how to attain the one and achieve the other. The question, however, remains what is happiness, and what is progress? These are issues not yet solved in any satisfactory manner by the known systems of Ethics. The reason is not far to seek. The modern tendency is to separate Ethics from Physics or the rational exposition of the laws of the Universe, and thus make it a Science resting on nothing but the whims and caprices of individuals and nations.