The Light of the Soul: Its Science and Effect : A Paraphrase of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

by Patañjali

Many translations have been made from the original Sanskrit of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. They have become well loved, well used, and well applied by many in all parts of the world and of all religious beliefs. The Sutras have a power and a timelessness about them which demonstrate the accuracy with which they pinpoint the basic truths of human evolution from subservience to personality clamours to the serene freedom of the soul. Most human problems today originate in selfish desire; the prostitution of the feeling nature to self-centred physical appetites. This is also brought out clearly in the teaching of the Lord Buddha, the treading of the Noble Eight-Fold path providing the only way out of the maze: "Right Values; Right Speech; Right Mode of Living; Right Thinking; Right Expression; Right Conduct; Right Effort; Right Rapture or True Happiness". These are attributes of the soul. Patanjali explores exhaustively the means, the techniques and the mental posture which create the connecting thread between the form-centred personality and these stages towards spiritual achievement and soul fusion. The four parts of the book develop: 1. The Problem of Union (51 sutras). 2. The Steps to Union (55 sutras). 3. Union Achieved and Its Results (55 sutras). 4. Illumination (34 sutras). Many different training techniques have been available over the centuries, depending on the condition of human consciousness and the phase of spiritual growth to be accomplished. Each "Yoga" has had its place, fulfilled its function, and become an absorbed part of human experience. In this book the factor of mind in meeting present-day needs is again given prominence as the agent of the soul, and the key to personality release. These Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are based on Raja Yoga, the "kingly science of the soul": "Through the science of Raja Yoga the mind will be known as the instrument of the soul and the means whereby the brain of the aspirant becomes illuminated and knowledge gained of those matters which concern the realm of the soul." The soul is concerned with the working out of planetary purpose and plan; so again we find that mental training, and the self-achievement of the individual, lead to cooperation and service on a scale far more comprehensive and of far greater evolutionary significance than merely the individual effects on the life of the disciple. Sutra 31 of Part IV rings out like a bell and a clarion call to those who venture on the path of union with the soul. "When through the removal of hindrances and the purification of the sheaths, the totality of knowledge becomes available, naught further remains for the man to do."

Genres: Spirituality, Theosophy, Occult, Nonfiction, Philosophy

458 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1927

About the author

Patañjali (Devanāgarī पतञ्जलि) (fl. 150 BCE or 2nd c. BCE) is the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, an important collection of aphorisms on Yoga practice, and also the author of the Mahābhāṣya, a major commentary on Pāṇini's Ashtadhyayi. However, it is unlikely that these two works are that of the same author.

In recent decades the Yoga Sutra has become quite popular worldwide for the precepts regarding practice of Raja Yoga and its philosophical basis. "Yoga" in traditional Hinduism involves inner contemplation, a rigorous system of meditation practice, ethics, metaphysics, and devotion to Brahman. At the same time, his Mahābhāṣya, which first foregrounded the notion of meaning as referring to categorization, remains an important treatise in Sanskrit linguistic philosophy.

Reviews

[Teri Uktena · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has little to do with yoga or the Yoga Sutras and states this in the introduction. The author did not read the sutras, but had them translated by an unidentified "Tibetan" which she then summarizes. The result is a mixture of Protestant Christianity, Hinduism, Theosophy, with a hint of yoga and a large dollop of colonialism chopped together into a very weird spiritual salsa. As an example of the Theosophy being practiced during the time of Blavatsky, it's fairly classic which is probably the only redeeming factor.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that helps one read between the lines as one walks the path of life with one foot on earth and the other on the "other or esoteric" side.

[Parham]

This book is loaded with very advanced spiritual techniques and knowledge. I suggest going through the book with the guidance of a spiritual teacher, specially if you wish to practice the meditations. Master Hector Ramos is one of the teachers who can walk you through it. Previous background in esoteric studies is required to gain an understanding of the content of the book. It is one of the deepest texts based Yoga Sutras of Patanjali that I am aware of. I stopped practicing the book midway.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like Vedas, Bibles, Sutras, Korans, or, Kaballhas this revision of one of the oldest books known to man is well worth the trouble.