Yogasutra of Patanjali with The Commentary of Vyasa

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The yogasutra of Patanjali constitutes one of the six Darsanas of Anicient Indian Philosophy, the sole aim of which is to unravel the mysteries of yoga, give insights into its practices and lead the aspirant from into its practices and lead the aspirant from the realization of the Individual Self to that of the Supreme Self.

The book is divided into four Chapters. Chapter I expounds the grades of action necessary for restraining the exhibitive operations of the mind. ChapterII deals with the gross impurities that have entered into our mind. Chapter III pertains to the dissolutionary change of worldly life by taking recourse to Samyama. Chapter IV explains the working of the three fold action pertaining o the presents, past and future. It teaches how the Individual Self attains release from the bondage of actions and is merged into Brahman.

The book comprises the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Commentary of Vyasa thereon, English translation of both the Text and the Commentary, Notes, Preface, Appendix and Chart.

The Indian system of Philosophy is the store House which has supplied spiritual food, through the ages, to all the nations of the world. Other teachings whatever they be, are but the sauces and the spices, useful so long as this philosophy supplies the spiritual inspiration. The Indian Philosophical system comprises six Darsanas viz. Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta. Every one of these systems claims to lead the aspirant to the goal of final Emancipation.

A number of modern philosophers hold that six texts are separate philosophies, independent of one another. Again, there are other philosophers who think that the six philosophical texts are not contradictory but contributory to one another. The as a matter of fact, both these schools have no basis for their assertions. The six philosophical texts are neither self contradictory nor independent of one another. Rather they are the six successive steps of one and the same ladder. It alone can show that the steps of philosophical ladder are harmoniously linked to one another. It alone can teach the systematic process on following which the aspirant can achieve realization of the existing Reality.

The yoga Sutra of Patanjali is divided into four Chapters. It comprises aphorisms on the system of yoga. The aphorisms relate to the subject of Spiritual Absorption (Samadhi), Means of Practice (Sadhana), Accomplishments (Vibhuti) and Emancipation (Kaivalya). To expound further: Chapter I explains the grades of spiritual Action for the restraint of the exhibitive operations of the mind. Until that is dione no yogic achievement is possible. Ch. II deals with the process of Material Action which can attenuate the gross impurities that have entered into the mind. Ch. III pertains to the Dissolutionary change of the worldly life by means of samyama. Ch. IV explains the working of threefold action: the present action, the stored up action and the regulated furtive action. It teaches how the individual soul, released from the bond of actions realizes the Reality of the Individual soul, released from the bond of actions realizes the Reality of the Supreme Being wherein the individual souls merges as rivers do into the ocean. The entire system of yoga, in all its categories, is nowhere better treated than in this book.