A very difficult subject dealt with excellent commentaries by Swami Prabhananda & Isherwood. I am glad that I have read the book and do doubt will go back to this book again and again. ( )

Patanjali, aims, practice, powers, liberation

-not the best translation, T.K.V. Desikachar did much better ( )

This translation of the Yoga Sutras by Swami Prabhavananda and his Western devotee Christopher Isherwood, is considered a classic. It contains a lucid translation and detailed commentary.

This title - "Patanjali Yoga Sutras" - is the Indian edition of the book, which in the West is titled - "How to Know God' .

This is book of aphorisms (teachings) by Patanjali. He restates yoga philosophy and its practice in "bite-size" sentences. Christopher Isherwood and Swami Prabhavananda are credited with the translation and commentary of each aphorism.

What is an aphorism:

"11. The knowledge which is gained from inference and the study of scriptures, is knowledge of one kind. But the knowledge which is gained from samadhi [an intense state of concentration, achieved through meditation] is of a much higher order. It goes beyond inference and scriptures.

[Commentary:] Here Patanjali describes the two kinds of knowledge: knowledge obtained through mediation of the senses and the reason, and knowledge obtained by direct superconsciousness experience. . . ."

The commentary and aphorisms continue by defining and discussing each new thought and/or word and always building to the next aphorism. ( )