Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali

The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali is perhaps the most well-known reference text for a philosophy inspired (i.e. not just physical) yoga practice. It is a user manual on yoga practice, consisting of short aphorisms. Yoga itself is described as follows:

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥२॥

yogaś-citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ ॥2॥

Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind.

– Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, 1.2

Patañjali describes a comprehensive yoga practice consisting of eight limbs: aṣṭāṅga yoga. The text is divided into four chapters:

• Yoga Sūtras 1: Samādhi Pada, First chapter of the Yoga Sūtras on stilling the mind. It deals with the various forms of thoughts that can exist in the mind and the practices to control them. Finally, the various stages of samādhi, for which this chapter is named, are described.
• Yoga Sūtras 2: Sadhana Pada, Second chapter of the Yoga Sūtras on yoga practice.
• Yoga Sūtras 3: Vibhuti Pada, Third chapter of the Yoga Sūtras on samyama.
• Yoga Sūtras 4: Kaivalya Pada, Fourth chapter of the Yoga Sūtras on liberation.

English translations

Edwin Bryant

I warmly recommend the translation and commentary by Edwin Bryant, The Yoga sūtras of Patañjali : a new edition, translation, and commentary with insights from the traditional commentators,¹ as it is highly readable and it provides an in-depth introduction to the subject matter. For each sūtra it lists the Devanāgarī, the IAST roman transcription, a definition list of the individual words and a translation of the sūtra by the author. But best of all, then a brief discussion follows on the classical commentaries on that sūtra, with the summarizing thoughts and clarifications of Bryant. This is a great, thought-provoking and insightful way to study the sūtras. A highly recommended read that is sure to change your life in a positive way. If your looking for a version that’s shorter and a bit less academic, read on.

Swami Satchidananda

The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali by Swami Satchidananda² is a great translation and commentary, especially if you’re reading the sūtras for the first time. It includes the Devanāgarī, the IAST roman transcription, a definition list of the individual words and a translation of the sūtra by the author. The commentary is clear, funny at times and insightful. Not all examples have aged equally well, but that is unavoidable. My only gripe is that some of the sūtras were only translated, but not commented on. I understand why, but if you want a more extensive commentary, I’d recommend Edwin Bryant’s book, as stated above – it’s more academic, though. Nonetheless, I can highly recommend this version and I’ll surely read from it many times in the future.