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Patanjali Yoga Sutras
In December 1994, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar began explaining the ancient Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Sri Sri brought to light the profound wisdom contained in Patanjali's Sanskrit passages. The audience was a group of course participants tucked in Weggis, Switzerland. Amidst the bliss of so much knowledge, somebody had the awareness to record those precious talks. This book is a compilation of talks from the session.
198 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 2010
174 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Ravi Shankar
329 books343 followersRavi Shankar usually known as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, born Ravi Shankar Ratnam, on May 13, 1956, in Tamil Nadu, India, is a spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation (founded 1982), which aims at relieving both individual stress and societal problems and violence, and which is an NGO with UNESCO consultative status. Frequently referred to simply as "Sri Sri" (honorific) or as Guruji or Gurudev, he also established in 1997 a Geneva-based charity, the International Association for Human Values, an NGO that engages in relief work and rural development and aims to foster shared global values.
He has reached out to an estimated 300 million people worldwide through personal interactions, public events, teachings, Art of living workshops and humanitarian initiatives. His talks and programs have helped people around the world reduce stress, experience physical and emotional healing and develop a sense of belonging.
To know more visit http://www.artofliving.org/in-en
He has reached out to an estimated 300 million people worldwide through personal interactions, public events, teachings, Art of living workshops and humanitarian initiatives. His talks and programs have helped people around the world reduce stress, experience physical and emotional healing and develop a sense of belonging.
To know more visit http://www.artofliving.org/in-en
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 8, 2023
I bought this Kindle book to accompany the video talks by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar presented as part of my yoga teacher training.
Without this book (which is as close to a word-by-word transcript of the talks as is possible to get), I would have had difficulty understanding the imperfect audio technology of the talks coupled with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's accent. So just read the book? Well, no. Without the videos, I felt the book would have lacked something vital - but I don't know what would be, exactly.
This book was extremely important in my yoga teacher training journey - no, more than extremely - PRICELESS.
And in gratitude for that gift to me, I give this book 5 starts.
Without this book (which is as close to a word-by-word transcript of the talks as is possible to get), I would have had difficulty understanding the imperfect audio technology of the talks coupled with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's accent. So just read the book? Well, no. Without the videos, I felt the book would have lacked something vital - but I don't know what would be, exactly.
This book was extremely important in my yoga teacher training journey - no, more than extremely - PRICELESS.
And in gratitude for that gift to me, I give this book 5 starts.
August 6, 2018
This book is a must read for anyone who needs to understand the intricate workings of the human mind. Patanjali for yogis has been the master of the mind since time immemorial. He simplifies the intricacies with easy to grasp and remember meanings of aphorisms on the cause effect relationship of the way we handle our thoughts and the world we create. Going through the text becomes much more powerful if you combine it with yoga, meditation practices very regularly
April 22, 2020
Best Spiritual read of my life. Worth reading back again and again.
November 20, 2019
PYS is the authoritative text on the Philosophy of YOGA.
Gurudev has given a wonderful commentry upon it w.r.t modern era.
Often commentaries on scriputres can go obsolete as per the time changes, hence it's said that words of a living guru are priceless !
A commentary on this ancient lost scripture in today's world that too from a living master is of utmost value.
One treading the path of Yoga will find this discourse as a life manual.
The book contains 2 of the 4 parts of PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS viz. 1st. Samadhi pada & 2nd. Sadhana pada.
Gurudev has given a wonderful commentry upon it w.r.t modern era.
Often commentaries on scriputres can go obsolete as per the time changes, hence it's said that words of a living guru are priceless !
A commentary on this ancient lost scripture in today's world that too from a living master is of utmost value.
One treading the path of Yoga will find this discourse as a life manual.
The book contains 2 of the 4 parts of PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS viz. 1st. Samadhi pada & 2nd. Sadhana pada.
January 22, 2021
This books contains the secret or rather I would say, the highest knowledge about Yoga.
We have been misunderstood the whole concept of Yoga by confusing Asanas with Yoga. Asanas are just a little part of the this infinite concept. Yoga is a lifestyle which includes Yamas, Niyamas, etc. The real goal is to go beyond your mind and body.
This book unveils the secrets and how can one achieve this.
Do Not take this as just a reading book, this is a to do book. Best thing would be to read it with a certified Yoga teacher, Art of Living teacher to get the true essence.
We have been misunderstood the whole concept of Yoga by confusing Asanas with Yoga. Asanas are just a little part of the this infinite concept. Yoga is a lifestyle which includes Yamas, Niyamas, etc. The real goal is to go beyond your mind and body.
This book unveils the secrets and how can one achieve this.
Do Not take this as just a reading book, this is a to do book. Best thing would be to read it with a certified Yoga teacher, Art of Living teacher to get the true essence.
November 9, 2025
Una lectura profunda y reveladora que traduce los antiguos sutras del yoga en enseñanzas accesibles y espiritualmente potentes. Ravi Shankar ofrece una interpretación clara, compasiva y contemporánea de los aforismos de Patanjali, conectando filosofía, práctica y transformación interior. Aunque algunos pasajes requieren atención y relectura, el mensaje central —la unión entre cuerpo, mente y conciencia— se transmite con belleza y sabiduría. Ideal para quienes buscan integrar el yoga como camino de vida.
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September 21, 2025Looking inwards
One has to be spiritual and a mediator to understand the essence of this invaluable book. For some it might take a life time to live the knowledge. It is recommended that one attends the Happiness program in India or the SKY program outside India and at least one Advanced Meditation Program and the Sanyal program conducted by the Art of Living organisation before attempting to read this book. What an amazing experience. Bob Seshadrii.
One has to be spiritual and a mediator to understand the essence of this invaluable book. For some it might take a life time to live the knowledge. It is recommended that one attends the Happiness program in India or the SKY program outside India and at least one Advanced Meditation Program and the Sanyal program conducted by the Art of Living organisation before attempting to read this book. What an amazing experience. Bob Seshadrii.
November 10, 2022
A book by my master himself where he has made the commentaries on the Patanjali yoga sutras. One must read it and apply to their life and see the magic 🪄.
Recommended to everyone to understand that yoga is not only some set of asanas but it's more than that, the way of living our life. Jai Gurudev 🙏
Recommended to everyone to understand that yoga is not only some set of asanas but it's more than that, the way of living our life. Jai Gurudev 🙏
January 11, 2018
A guide to a meaningful life
The Patanjali Yoga sutras are very relevant even in the twenty first century. Sri Sri has explained each sutra in a very easy to understand way with lot of stories.
The Patanjali Yoga sutras are very relevant even in the twenty first century. Sri Sri has explained each sutra in a very easy to understand way with lot of stories.
January 2, 2018
A must read for those on the spiritual path. Timeless wisdom expressed in simple terms.
May 23, 2019
Not reeded yet
November 12, 2019
Everything you need to know about Yog.
April 14, 2020
I have understand many thing about spiritual path, many explanation about what is happening during meditation.
October 14, 2020
Excellent guide on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Maharishi. A great reference for day to day life instances and events by Sri Gurudev.
December 28, 2020
This is one of my favourite books ever! I have reread it few times, definitely recommend.
March 8, 2021
gem beyond measure-gurujis indepth discussion on this ancient sutra expounds upon ageless wisdom
August 16, 2023
Amazing
June 28, 2015
The quality of the pages and the print is good.
This book is all about spiritual aspects. If you want the science of aasanas or pranayama, this book is not the one.
The commentary by Sri Sri guruji is very simple and elegant. While reading, It felt like he's talking to me. Very good experience.
Anyhow, the book shows 'Volume 1' on it. I have contacted the publishers and they said that there is no volume 2 for this title. I wonder why they marked this book as 'volume 1'
In spite of the great narration by Guruji, thus book seems to be incomplete. I've referred to Swami Vivekananda's commentary for the same 'Patanjali Yoga Sutras'. I've found that there are still more slokas. I think there's a Volume-2 of this book which is yet to be published.
This book is all about spiritual aspects. If you want the science of aasanas or pranayama, this book is not the one.
The commentary by Sri Sri guruji is very simple and elegant. While reading, It felt like he's talking to me. Very good experience.
Anyhow, the book shows 'Volume 1' on it. I have contacted the publishers and they said that there is no volume 2 for this title. I wonder why they marked this book as 'volume 1'
In spite of the great narration by Guruji, thus book seems to be incomplete. I've referred to Swami Vivekananda's commentary for the same 'Patanjali Yoga Sutras'. I've found that there are still more slokas. I think there's a Volume-2 of this book which is yet to be published.
November 2, 2015
Another wow book together with Ashtavakra. I read the book again and again. Great insights
March 2, 2016
A good introduction for Westerners to move into Patanjali's classic text.
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May 17, 2016Location: GG7 IRC
Accession no: DL028139
Accession no: DL028139
July 4, 2023
Perfect.
April 26, 2014
:'). blissful
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August 7, 2017I do not consider myself fit to rate the book, as I am not enlightened as Patanjali Maharishi or Shri Ravi Shankar, but I shall convey my thoughts. I believe Patanjali Maharishi understood all forms of life and was enlightened because, when you start reading about the eight limbs of Yoga, you will know how much he summed up all the human traits existing and to be existed in future. And, how to live life in Samadhi - Bliss.
**
Eight limbs of Yoga -
1. Yama
2. Niyama
3. Asana
4. Pranayama
5. Pratyahara
6. Dharana
7. Dhyana
8. Samadhi
**
Every sutra given is with utmost observance and delicacy. There is not a word which you might find untrue. You might not agree with Hinduism but you will appreciate the beauty and depth of it.
All of this is explained with beautiful examples and stories by Shri Ravi Shankar. I have not read the original manuscript by Patanjali but this will suffice to lead a blissful and contented life in the modern era.
**
Eight limbs of Yoga -
1. Yama
2. Niyama
3. Asana
4. Pranayama
5. Pratyahara
6. Dharana
7. Dhyana
8. Samadhi
**
Every sutra given is with utmost observance and delicacy. There is not a word which you might find untrue. You might not agree with Hinduism but you will appreciate the beauty and depth of it.
All of this is explained with beautiful examples and stories by Shri Ravi Shankar. I have not read the original manuscript by Patanjali but this will suffice to lead a blissful and contented life in the modern era.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews