Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
B. K. S. Iyengar
Language: English
Pages: 384
ISBN: 0007145160
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
BKS Iyengar’s translation and commentary on these ancient yoga sutras has been described as the “bible” of yoga.
This new edition of the classic text contains a new introduction by BKS Iyengar, as well as a foreword by Godfrey Devereux, author of Dynamic Yoga.
Patanjali wrote this collection of yoga wisdom over 2,000 years ago. They are amongst the world’s most revered and ancient teachings and are the earliest, most holy yoga reference.
The Sutras are short and to the point – each being only a line or two long. BKS Iyengar has translated each one, and provided his own insightful commentary and explanation for modern readers.
The Sutras show the reader how we can transform ourselves through the practice of yoga, gradually developing the mind, body and emotions, so we can become spiritually evolved.
The Sutras are also a wonderful introduction to the spiritual philosophy that is the foundation of yoga practise.
The book is thoroughly cross-referenced, and indexed, resulting in an accessible and helpful book that is of immense value both to students of Indian philosophy and practitioners of yoga.
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga: Notes of the Seminar Given in 1932
A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Yoga: Discipline of Freedom: The Yoga Sutra Attributed to Patanjali
of the six blind men and the elephant). Fanciful knowledge (vikalpa) causes the mind to live in an imaginary state without consideration of the facts. Memory (smrti) helps one to recollect experiences for right understanding. Sleep (nidra) has its own peculiarity. As a jar when empty is filled with air, so consciousness is empty in sleep. It exists in space, without a place, and is filled with dormancy. In sleep, one has a glimpse of a quiet state of mind, manolaya. This dormant state of mind is
mechanical. The mechanical brain questions only the external phenomena, bringing objective knowledge. The creative brain calls into ques tion the inrrer and outer, bringing subjective and spiritual knowledge. In iisana understanding begins with the inner skin; in prii1Jiiyiima, with the inner membrane of the nose. These are the starting points of the spiritual quest in asana and prii1Jiiyiima. In this way, a virtuous character is built up. When awareness is linked to intelligence, honesty comes
total state of health which brings stability, to cultivate the mind with real understanding, and to reach out ultimately to undifferentiated infinity. The seer is an absolute knower - awareness personified. Though pure, it becomes entangled in the tricks of the mind, which are part of nature. Yet the vehicles of nature are all there to help the seer to experience serene, pristine, divine purity. Then, the elements of nature and their counterparts recede and merge in the root of nature,
aspects of yoga impurities are destroyed: the crown of wisdom radiates in glory. Patafijali sums up the effects of yoga in this one sOtra. He says that by regular and devoted practice, the impurities of the sadhaka's body and mind are consumed, the causes of afflictions removed and the crown of wisdom is acquired. This wisdom and achievement keep the sadhaka innocent and free of pride. Here, instead of the usual word abhyasa (repeated practice) , anu�thana is used. It is a dignified and noble
birth how, in what way, in what manner, whence knowledge, illusion Knowledge of past and future lives unfolds when one is free from greed for possessions. When one is steady in living without surplus possessions and without greed, one realizes the true meaning of one's life, and all life unfolds before one. Perseverance in this austerity leads to knowledge of one's past and future Sadhana Pada lives which appear like reflections i n a mirror. When the siidhaka i s free of worldly aspirations,