Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali by Swami Hariharananda Aranya

The Yoga Sutras were authored by the legendary Sage Patanjali. Often referred to as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali this work has lifted Yoga from a form of mysticism to a science.

About the exposition by Swami Hariharananda Aranya

The Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali by Swami Hariharananda Aranya is the most authoratative expostion of the Yoga Sutras, one used by all Yoga institutes in India. If I would have to recommend one book on the Yoga Sutras it would be this one. It comprises of:

196 Aphorisms by Sage Patanjali (in Sanskrit and English)

Commentary by Sage Vyasa (in Sanskrit and English)

Exposition by Samkhyayogi Swami Hariharananda Aranya (in English, translated from Bengali by P.N. Mukherji)

About the Author Swami Hariharananda Aranya

Little is known of the early life of Swami Hariharananda Aranya, for it was his wish that only the teachings live on. His immediate disciple Swami Dharmamegh Aranya therefore revealed little of his Master's life history.

The author, Swami Hariharananda Aranya (1869-1947) spent six years of his early monastic life in utter seclusion in caves in the hills in Bihar, India. He was one of the few existing Samkhya Yogis in India. This exposition is also so highly regarded because it is probably the only one of all modern expositions that is written by a Samkhya yogi, of an ancient lineage.

The Kapila Math, where he spent his last years and where his students led a simple life devoted to meditation, is still a place only for the most sincere students of Sankhya Yoga.

Dangers of Intellectual Study

There are many students of the Yoga Sutras. In the plains of India and abroad, there are many schools with teachers training programs, which "teach" the Yoga Sutras. Many of these schools, especially the ones in India, use this book. However, this study is purely intellectual, scholarly and academic. 

Array

At THATfirst, we do not study the Yoga Sutras. We study the mind. On studying the mind through the direct experience of meditation (dhyana) the Yoga Sutras reveal themselves.

Our YouTube Channel THATfirst English has many clips arranged topic-wise in the playlist. Topics include: Samaya Srividya, Pranayama, Self-Enquiry, Schools of Tantra, and many more. Subscribe to the channel!