Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (Pocketbook): The Spiritual Man's Guide

"The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, though exceedingly brief—less than ten pages in large type in the original—are a foundational work of Yoga practice. They encapsulate profound practical wisdom, meticulously organized and detailed. Patanjali's intention is clear: to systematize the practical methods for spiritual awakening and transformation, and to illuminate the rewards—the splendor and power—of this spiritual rebirth." —Charles Johnston

Patanjali's text demystifies spirituality, presenting it not as mystical or inaccessible but as a precise science. He teaches that enlightenment is within reach of all, not just a select few; anyone can embark on this journey immediately. Johnston's translation of the Yoga Sutras underwent several stages of evolution. Initially serialized in Theosophical Quarterly from 1909 to 1911, it was later compiled into a book with minimal adjustments in 1912. Subsequently, Johnston revisited both the translation and commentary, acknowledging the influence of Dr. Haughton Woods on technical points, which he incorporated into a revised edition published in the summer of 1917.

This revised edition, faithfully reproduced here with minor formatting adjustments—presenting the translation before the commentary—also includes this newly added foreword and supplementary notes. Charles Johnston (1867-1931), renowned for his deep knowledge of Eastern traditions, translated various seminal texts such as the ten Principal Upanishads of Vedanta, the Bhagavad Gita, Lao Tse's Tao Teh King, and Sankaracharya's Crest-Jewel of Wisdom. Johnston's profound understanding of Vedanta illuminates Patanjali's sutras, elucidating their essence: the emergence of the Spiritual Man.

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