Why would you want to have more than one copy of the yoga sutras? In the past I have mentioned that I find it beneficial to have more than one copy of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and certainly I have seen other people comment on this. That isn’t to say that I don’t gravitate to 1 version more, it’s just that sometimes a different version has an interesting perspective, better explained or easier to understand for a given sutra than in other translations. There are times two or more versions have excellent translations of a particular sutra, and yet the commentary might explain it in a different way that complements the other version. So it isn’t just that one version can be better, they can both be very good and complimentary.

Let me be specific on this, II.32 lists the 5 niyama’s along with a brief description for each, where as II.40 looks into the first niyama. In TKV Desikachar version he translates the first niyama in II.32 as; “Cleanliness, or keeping of our bodies and our surroundings neat and clean“, where as Sri Swami Satchidananda says; “Purity“. I accept that the niyama sutra (II.32) is only listing what the niyamas are, and in this case II.40 tackles the first niyama in more detail, but even II.40 is more understandable to me in TKV Desikachar version. Desikachar has provided a practical description, one that doesn’t take much thinking about to put into practice, and yet, the second needs more thought and the commentary to be referred to before you can make a start at trying to apply it to your life.

In contrast lets look at I.33, TKV’s version has an excellent description; however, Sri Swami Satchidananda’s version has an ok description but a fantastic commentary. For me, both versions are complementary, together they provide a more complete picture of the sutras than just one does. I have to confess to owning several more than 2 versions of the yoga sutras for similar reasons, to keep things fresh and to gain many perspectives on the one center of wisdom, and also to clarify something that’s not fully understood. There are examples in Satchidanand’s version which are more undstandable to me than TKV’s.

Personally out of the 6 or so versions of the sutras I own, I reference the two discussed here more than the others, having said that I also like Swami Vivekananda translation, it has some good commentaries. So become settled in one version first, and then start exploring a few others, obviously you dont’ want to many, and some you may pass on or sell. But find a few copies that work well together and you will find studying the sutras more interesting and engaging. In fact it’s interesting to note that study of books like these which involves study of one self, is the fourth niyama II.44. This is an example where the description in both books for the fourth niyama in II.32 and II.44, work very well together, and at the same time stand on their own.

I hope this helps explain why it is worth investing in several translations. You might like to look at the general book list to see the versions I currently own, although there are a few missing from this list because I haven’t read them yet.

Copyright © 2009 Russell Smithers

The new page Philosophy, Introduction and Practice (see quote below) uses the yoga sutras as the backdrop to look at yoga in the wider context, and the sutras then provide the starting point for the practical aspects of applying the philosophy. It also explains how to put the philosophy into practical daily use. Some of the concepts near the end will be looked at in more detail in later posts.

“The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is an interesting subject to become acquainted with because yoga is about transforming oneself, and the sutras are of tremendous help with self improvement. Where do you start? Pick up any translation of the yoga sutras and you will see why I pose this question, so I wrote a quick start guide. ” from Philosophy, Introduction and Practice

The effects of practice are felt most over an increasing length of time spent attending to your practice. This is something I can now see for myself, for those of you who follow the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali you will know this is Sutra I.14.

So how then do I see this in my own life, proving for myself the path of yoga to be fruitful?

Firstly I have seen it emerging  within me during the years of my yoga practice. Little bit by little bit, obstacles falling by the way side freeing me up. This is a lesson in non-attachment as much as it is about staying with your own yoga practice, see Sutras II.30, II.32 and II.37 (although probably others too).

The other way I see it is when I see how others take their happiness from things external to themselves, and how that all goes horribly wrong for them when their expectations are not met. I am reminded of how more and more I am going within to that which is unchanging, to that which is not dependent on the external world. The longer I practice the bigger the chasm between my reactions (or lack of reaction) to external events in comparison to others. The difference in how external things affect me in comparison to how they effect others becomes a more obvious indicator of progress on the path.

Along the way I have found as Gregor Maehle discusses in his book “Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy“, that studying the Yoga Sutras, Upanishads and other  yogic/spiritual texts are in balancing a daily asana practice. The two help each other, in fact Gregor says that these are “two sides of the same coin”.

Copyright © 2008 Russell Smithers