A two year certificate course at Yogaraksanam, Chennai, initially introduced me to the Yogasutra of Patanjali. The great sage Patanjali was known as the father and architect of Yoga on account of having compiled and systemised all existing knowledge of the subject and giving it a philosophical structure.
The satras are steeped in wisdom and give meaningful direction. Having studied them, one realizes how essential a basic understanding of the Yogashtra is to bringing body, senses and mind under control, enabling us to live life in harmony with ourselves and all around us. The stitras are an amazing study of the mind and its workings, and detail how one can use the intellect to achieve one's goals, and in the context of yoga this is, overriding everything else, how one can achieve freedom from the burdens of life.
Having understood this, and as I travelled the globe meeting people from different countries practicing yoga, and observing some of the new age yoga classes around the world, I was disheartened to find that the true purpose of yoga as taught in the sitra-s was often lost, sidelined or forgotten. As a student and enthusiast who has come to value its teachings, it saddened me that yoga practice had more often than not been brought down to the mere physical.
With these thoughts and feelings in mind I approached my teacher, Shri.D.V.Sridhar. We felt an urgent need for an easy to read version of the Yogasutra of Patanjali which nonetheless defines the true purpose of yoga. We hope by such a book to create an under standing of the depth and breadth of yoga as it was intended by its founder and an appreciation of its practice. Many masters have written valuable commentaries on the subject - but as far as I can see they all take a high philosophical tone and need an initial depth of knowledge in order to be understood - this book could perhaps be a stepping stone.
These verses came from the heart; they came from an understanding of the sutras as taught to me with rare lucidity by my teacher. Having understood and discovered the wisdom of the sutra-s. I felt a deep urge to share the knowledge of this very profound and practical teaching. The following book is therefore an expression of my understanding of the teacher's lessons and comes from a strong desire to make enthusiasts the world over, of those, who have taken to yoga in its current wave of popularity without perhaps realizing how much more there is to this science than mere physical exercise; if some of these people could perhaps take to reading the sutras, then my purpose will have been achieved and with this aim in mind the verses have been expressed in the simplest words in a lyrical manner. However many concepts of the satras are deep and require reflection. To read the verses aloud right through the chapter, experiencing the rhythm and then study the verse and the lesson, would perhaps bring out the best understanding and appreciation of this work.
This book was first published by Rupa and Co in 2008 as "THE SONG OF TRUTH'. In the revised edition 'UNDERSTANDING YOGA', we have incorporated the artworks of SOHAN QADRI -yogi, poet and artist. His work reaffirms the brilliance and creative excellence the meditative mind can achieve in any chosen field. In the artists own words.
"First I empty my mind of all images. They dissolve into primordial space- one's emptiness I feel, should communicate with the emptiness of the canvas".
He sums up all that Patanjali's Astanga path leads to and stands for. Drawing inspiration from natures elements, the very source of our being and of our world we have chosen to meaningfully unfold the chapters with their colours Blue for the vast ocean of the mind Yellow and Red, the colours of fire for energy to practice and the power gained, Green for the freedom to return to nature and our own natural selves.
Asana (101)
Bhakti Yoga (21)
Biography (52)
Hatha Yoga (93)
Kaivalyadhama (58)
Karma Yoga (33)
Kriya Yoga (85)
Kundalini Yoga (60)
Massage (2)
Meditation (341)
Patanjali (139)
Pranayama (70)
Women (33)
Yoga for Children (13)
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