Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga

by Zoë Slatoff-Ponté, Ben Ponté (Illustrator)

The traditional Indian method of learning Sanskrit is through oral transmission, by first memorizing texts and then learning their meaning. The Western academic approach methodically teaches the alphabet, declensions, grammar, syntax, and vocabulary building. Zoë Slatoff-Ponté's Yogavataranam integrates the traditional and academic approaches for a full and practical experience of Sanskrit study.

Yogavataranam approaches language systematically and at the same time allows students to read important and relevant texts as soon as possible, while emphasizing proper pronunciation through its audio accompaniment. The first section teaches reading and basic grammar, the second covers more extensive grammar, and by the third, students can begin to read and understand even more complex texts, such as the Upanisads .

Yogavataranam

Step-by-step instructions on how to correctly write the alphabet
Exercises throughout, along with review exercises for each chapter
Sidebars on Indian philosophy, culture, etymology, and more
Vocabulary building based on important texts
An extensive glossary of terms
Consideration of translation techniques and challenges
Original translations of passages from central texts, such as the Yogasutra , Bhagavadgita , Hathapradipika , and various Upanisads

In addition, Web-based audio files accompany each chapter to teach proper pronunciation.

Yogavataranam is appropriate for all levels of study, whether a student is brand-new to Sanskrit or already has experience in pronunciation, reading devanagari script, interpreting meaning, or learning grammar-and whether the course is academic or based in yoga. This new approach joins theory and practice to invoke an active experience of the philosophy, the practice, and the culture that together inform the multiplicity of meanings contained within the single and powerful word "yoga."

528 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2015

Reviews

[Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book to be able to translate chants I learned through yoga related subjects. I also had a Sanskrit grammar book that I found more helpful than the explanation given in this book.
For me, the chapters were too long on a given subject compared to other Sanskrit references which I liked more.
It's recommended for people who like to learn slow with ample examples at home as the book itself is very heavy also.

[Mark Beeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my beginners mind, this book is not exactly for beginners and the sound files have been removed from publishers website so you will have to find them on your own at author's website. Once found, I thought the sound files were terrible. Very fast so had to rewind many times to even understand where to begin. Ultimately I ended up using other intro videos on line to supplement the text at the beginning. I would not recommend this text unless you were taking a live class that uses it as a textbook with an instructor that explains and guides how to proceed. Pretty pictures were great but of no relevance to learning.