Four Chapters on Freedom: Commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

by Satyananda Saraswati, Patañjali

Four Chapters on Freedom contains the full Sanskrit text of Rishi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as well as transliteration, translation and an extensive commentary. The Yoga Sutras, containing 196 epithets or threads of Yoga, is the most respected treatise on Yoga. In his commentary on each verse, Swami Satyananda Saraswati fully explains the text and the path of raja yoga.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction

396 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1976

About the author

Swami Satyananda Saraswati was a sannyasin, yoga teacher and guru in both his native India and the West. He founded the International Yoga Fellowship in 1956 and the Bihar School of Yoga in 1963. He has authored over 80 books, including the well-known Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, recognised internationally as one of the most systematic yoga manuals today. Since its first publication by the Bihar School of yoga in 1969 it has been reprinted seventeen times and translated into many languages.

Reviews

[Rucha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere along the way I forgot that Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are based on Samkhya philosophy. After reading Four Chapters on Freedom, I remembered again.

Satyananda Saraswati has done a great job of explaining and expanding on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and bringing them into a light that we can understand in our modern day.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati goes into great detail, giving Sanskrit terminology for every concept he discusses, even making sure that it is understood correctly by comparing and contrasting it to our common interpretation of it.

What I found fascinating was Patanjali's and Swami Satyananda Saraswati's breakdown and categorization of the different levels of samadhi. It has made me want to learn more about how this is interpreted in Vedanta (if there is any difference) and in Hinduism, in general, or if this is exclusive to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. As I was reading it, much of it made sense because of my own experience, but the question I kept asking was- would all of this be considered samadhi or rather just steps to the final experience?

Patanjali brought in Raja Yoga and Bhakti Yoga as part of the Yoga Sutras. Swami Satyananda Saraswati writes that Bhakti Yoga is usually not part of Samkhya, but Patanjali knew that the majority of people resonate with this practice, so Patanjali decided to include it in the Yoga Sutras in order to make it easier for people. I loved reading these nuanced things in this book!

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants clarification of yogic concepts and wants to dive deeper into their understanding of yogic philosophy. However, I also feel that Four Chapters on Freedom has its limitations and should be read within the context that this is NOT a direct translation or commentary on a canon of Hindu scriptures, but almost just one man (Patanjali) sharing his spiritual experience and understanding.

[Rinzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible commentary on what has to be one of the most profound and insightful literary works in human (I'm of the opinion that Patanjali was actually a Naga but will cede that point for the purpose of this review) history. Select occidental readers might doubt many of the yogic assertions Patanjali makes but would do well to note how localised and limited their exposure to human evolution through meditational practices truly is. Swami Satyananda's commentary does a wonderful job explaining the many specialized terms used within Raja yoga and gives fair warnings to readers ahead of the source material as to the extreme difficulty in attaining the willpower and fortitude needed in order to successfully practice and accomplish what Patanjali discusses throughout the sutras.

Highly recommend to those interested in what powerful transformations yoga can bring about to those disciplined enough to practice at the level Patanjali apparently did.

[Alex Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This commentary was pretty dense and uneven. It was an interesting read mostly because of how its ideas wove into the Rod Stryker workshop I was attending at the same time as reading it. Otherwise, I think I would have struggled to get through it.

[Robtee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good translation of the world's oldest document on meditation

[Christy Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

stunning book on Patanjali's sutras!

[Shannon von Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sure many others received this book while studying with Rod Stryker prior to him writing his one book The Four Desires. I have read both many times, and I appreciate this commentary so much. I am a yoga teacher, medicine woman, and healer and have needed multiple perspectives to help others with their study of the sutras. This book was so moving to me, and truly gave a depth to the mama other translations, and commentaries I have read. So good for all levels of consciousness and self-study. It's vast, deep, and brilliant.

[Sara Streit · Rating 4 out of 5]

incredibly succinct and written specifically with the Western seeker in mind, breaking down the basic ideas of Patanjali verse by verse (Sutra). Includes excellent reference index and original Sanskrit text as the header of the text as well as in a collected form as a separate index. Consistent transliteration used and other helpful features make this an excellent starting point for the English reader of the Sutras.

[Emine Akın · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitap kısaca özgürleşmenin yollarını anlatıyor. Oldukça sade bir dilde yazılmıştı ve okuması kolaydı.

[Aleksandra Piotrowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritual book on depths and mantras behind yoga practice, definitely recommend for those looking for those enthusiastic about eastern philosophy of yoga

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

the Bihar/satyananda lineage is an abusive, vindictive cult.
Avoid at all cost.

[Sid Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy translation of the sutras!! but one must also read "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" by B.K.S. Iyengar