Theos-Talk Archives (October 2006 Message tt00167)

: Re. Yoga Aphorisms, Patanjali


Carlos and friends, greetings,

For those who may be interested in the Yoga Sutra attributed to Pantanjali there is a very fine and concise book which contains the verses and an authors comments that was published in 1996 and again in 1998.  The translator is credible and was a leading translator of Sanskrit literature until her death in 1993.

  The book is:
YOGA, DISCIPLINE OF FREEDOM
The Yoga Sutra Attributed to Pantanjali
Translated by Barbara Stoler Miller
published presently by Bantam Books, ISBN 0-553-3728-1

I have compared most of the verses to William Q. Judge's edition and find them very similar.  The really helpful thing in Barbara's book is the added authors comments which some students may find very helpful.

If anyone else online has reviewed or studied Barbara's translation and comments, please feel free to add your opinion.  I find her translation overall more understandable than that by W. Q. Judge however they both are very close and complimentary.

In some groups two books are studied together, THE VOICE OF SILENCE and THE YOGA APHORISMS OF PATANJALI as these are seen to compliment each other in helping the reader and meditation student.

May this help the sincere aspiring student.

Noteworthy is that even many Christian sects are now promoting a "contemplative" or meditative practice, but that's another story.

Best regards,
Gary B

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: carlosaveline To: theos-talk

  Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 11:22 AM
  Subject: Theos-World Bibliographical Search


  Dear Friends, 


  In the opening paragraphs of the Preface to the "Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali", William Q. Judge implies that his version of the Aphorisms is somewhat based in their 1885, Bombay edition, prepared by Mr. Tookeram Tatya. This was a friend of WQJ's, who wrote about Tookeram in the PATH (vol. IX, May 1894, pp. 37-40). 

  In the text "Why I Do Not Return to India" ("Theosophy", vol. XXXV, May 1947, pp. 292-300), HPB twice mentions Mr. Tukaram Tatya as one who is doing a "priceless work". In spite of the change in spelling (Tookeram/Tukaram) -- it is the same person. 

  My question about this: 

  Does anyone know how to obtain a copy of that 1885 edition of the Yoga Sutras? 


  Best regards, Carlos Cardoso Aveline. 


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