Recommendations

Sanskrit Texts

Abbreviations for what is included

  • SS = Sanskrit Script
  • RT = Romanized Transliteration
  • ET = English Translation
  • VV = Veda Vyaas’s commentary on the Yoga Sutras
  • COM = Commentary
  • DEF = Definitions of each individual word
  • GR = Grammatical endings shown

Yoga Sutras Translations

This is a list of translations/interpretations that I consulted heavily while developing The Yoga Sutras: An Essential Guide to the Heart of Yoga Philosophy. (Sounds True, March 2010)

Bouanchaud, Bernard. The Essence of Yoga; Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali. Portland, Oregon: Rudra Press, 1997. (RT, ET, DEF). Refined and practical interpretation. One sutra per page with reflections to contemplate on each sutra. Full index of terms in the back.

Desikachar, T.K.V. The Heart of Yoga. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions International, 1995. (SS, RT, ET). Loose yet practical interpretation with brief commentary. Book includes much more than the sutras.

Hariharananda Aranya, Swami. Yoga Philosophy of Patañjali Albany: State University of New York Press, 1983. (SS, ET, VV, COM). The most comprehensive, with long commentaries on the sutra and on Vyas’s commentary. A very traditional interpretation.

Hartranft, Chip. The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali. Boston, Massachusetts: Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2003. arlingtoncenter.org (ET, COM). Smooth and clear explanation in English, with a slightly Buddhist leaning.

Houston, Vyaas. The Yoga Sutra Workbook: The Certainty of Freedom. Warwick, New York: American Sanskrit Institute, 1995. americansanskrit.com (SS, RT, ET, DEF, GR). Translation is literal with no commentary. One sutra per letter-size page with plenty of room for notes. Spiral-bound.

Iyengar, B.K.S. Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali. San Francisco, California: Aquarian/Thorsons (Harper Collins), 1993. (SS, RT, ET, DEF, COM). Excellent reference, includes many tables, great indices in the back. A very traditional interpretation.

Bhagavad Gita

This is a list of translations/interpretations that I use often.

Sargeant, Winthrop. The Bhagavad Gita, Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 1994. (SS, RT, ET, DEF, GR). Word-by-word breakdown with all grammar, one sutra per page with room for notes. Original Sanskrit is broken up so this version is difficult to use for chanting the verses properly.

Yogananda, Paramahamsa. The Bhagavad Gita: Royal Science of God-Realization, Los Angeles, CA: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1995. (RT, ET, COM). Expended commentary which correlates the people in this text with inner qualities of a person. 2-Volume, beautifully bound set with 1173 total pages. ISBN 0-87612-030-3 (Hardback)

Gandhi, Mohandas K. The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi, Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Hills Books, 2000. (ET, COM). Mahatma Gandhi’s translation based on his own personal experience. 246 total pages. ISBN 1-893163-11-3 (Paperback)

Other Sanskrit Texts

This is a list of other classical texts on yoga and other Vedic sciences.

Muktibodhananda, Swami. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Bihar, India, Bihar School of Yoga, 1993 (2nd ed.). (SS, ET, COM). 641 pages, ISBN 81-85787-38-7.

Chandra Vasu, Sris. Gheranda Samhita. London, Theosophical Publishing House, 1976 (3rd ed.). (SS, ET, COM) ISBN 7229 5066 7 (hard), 7229 5068 3 (paperback).

Chandra Vasu, Rai Bahadur Srisa. Shiva Samhita. New Delhi, India, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd, 1999. (SS, ET, COM) ISBN 81-215-0507-0 (Hardback).

Virupakshananda, Swami. Sankhya Karika of Ishvara Krisha. Mylapore, Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1995 (1st ed.). (SS, ET, DEF, COM). 72 verses, 135 pages. ISBN 81-7120-711-1.