The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

by Ravi Shankar

"The whole purpose of yoga is to be one with the self, to bring an integrity in you, to make you whole. Yoga is making you whole." Patanjali's Yoga Sutras contain the aphorisms on practical and philosophical wisdom regarding the practice of Raja Yoga. This collection of talks on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali were given by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Chapters include: Maharishi Patanjali, The Discipline of Yoga, Honoring the Practice, Samadhi, Who Is God, Overcoming Obstacles, Steadiness and Samadhi, Kriya Yoga, Three Types of Tapas, Veils of Misery, Eliminating the Cause of Pain, The Eight Limbs of Yoga.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2010

About the author

Ravi 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

Reviews

[Tina Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shreya Nupur · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Mayank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Spiritual read of my life. Worth reading back again and again.

[Shubham Chopade · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Vaibhav Negi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[bob]

Looking 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.

[Shraboni Dey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 🙏

[Mahesh Gaikwad · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sridhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those on the spiritual path. Timeless wisdom expressed in simple terms.

[Manu B N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not reeded yet

[Abhinav Yadav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about Yog.

[Pheary Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have understand many thing about spiritual path, many explanation about what is happening during meditation.

[Usha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Maharishi. A great reference for day to day life instances and events by Sri Gurudev.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books ever! I have reread it few times, definitely recommend.

[silverace08 · Rating 5 out of 5]

gem beyond measure-gurujis indepth discussion on this ancient sutra expounds upon ageless wisdom

[Dhiyanesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

[Chaitanya Pullela · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wow book together with Ashtavakra. I read the book again and again. Great insights

[Brian Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction for Westerners to move into Patanjali's classic text.

[Delhi Irc]

Location: GG7 IRC
Accession no: DL028139

[Puloma Dasgupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect.

[Bhupesh Doda · Rating 5 out of 5]

:'). blissful

[Prahlad Bhat]

I 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.