The Yoga Sutras: A New Translation and Study Guide

by Nicholas Sutton

This short course sets out a detailed study of the text, philosophy, and significance of the millennia-old yoga system defined in the Yogasutras.

The popular practice of yoga finds its origin in one of the most venerated wisdom books of the Yogasutras . Comprised of 196 short statements on the essential teachings of yoga, Patanjali’s Yogasutras holds the position of being the seminal work that defines the yoga system. Over the centuries many important commentaries have been written that seek to explain and extrapolate the full meaning of the sutras, and to this day, the text continues to be appreciated for the profound wisdom contained within it.

While the Yogasutras were originally written in Sanskrit, this short course offers an accessible translation and commentary without sacrificing any of its profound wisdom. This edition will allow the reader to study and dive into the meaning and philosophy of this ancient text with its significant contemporary relevance. Yoga students, practitioners, and scholars alike will appreciate the way in which this short course guides the reader through the text.

To see available courses from the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, visit ochsonline.org.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Eduardo Felix Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazingly comprehensive translation of the Yoga Sutras.

Nicholas Sutton wastes no time and gets straight to the point while imbuing it with a sense of completeness and context. He points you in the direction of other similar uses of certain ideas and topics, dives into the complexity of the subject, and at the same time makes sure no complexity is added.

I can’t recommend this enough to anyone that wants a more academic look into yoga philosophy.

[Bejoy Kuruvilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and lucid

Very nicely explained and very convincing text expounding the relevant commentaries of a very difficult subject. This book gives the impression that the author has a very in-depth understanding of the subject.

[Nancy McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear in translation. Excellent study guide.

[A. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting work. Very little to do with Hatha Yoga as it is practiced today, although doubtless this forms much of the metaphysical background.

[Abhishek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pairs very nicely with Edwin Byrant's exhaustive summary of various commentaries. I would start with that one to get familiar with the foundational beliefs. This one is more a refresher.