The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri… (1978)

This text seems to be a transcript of a series of lectures given by Satchidananda (henceforth called "Commentator") to his students. Each verse of the Yoga-Sutra is first given in various forms (devanagari, sanskrit, english, word-by-word) and then a commentary is provided. The commentary on the final parts (i.e., three and four) is much shorter than the commentary on the first two parts.

The style is informal/anecdotal and contains a lot of rhetorical questions. The anecdotes are interesting/inspiring and make for a light/convenient reading. Nevertheless, some suggestions (like detachment from sensual pleasures) are everything else than light/convenient to digest, let alone, to realize.

Although, the commentary is sometimes esoteric (especially chapter 3!) I found many statements quite scientific, even from todays points of view. Although, the commentator claims not to belong to a particular religion (p.41) the text is heavily colored by the commentators apparent hinduistic background (and, of course, the hinduistic background of the underlying text).

I think, a bit more structure would have benefited the text since it would make remembering easier. ( )

A must read for anyone who wants to know yoga deeper than the poses. Keep your highlighter handy and mark what moves you. Then practice it, and then read the Sutras again and see what else pops out at you. This is an excellent reference. ( )

Sri Swami Satchidananda's excellent translation and commentary of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.