The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

A Biography

De: David Gordon White

Narrado por: Peter Ganim

Consisting of fewer than 200 verses written in an obscure if not impenetrable language and style, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is today extolled by the yoga establishment as a perennial classic and guide to yoga practice. As David Gordon White demonstrates in this groundbreaking study, both of these assumptions are incorrect. Virtually forgotten in India for hundreds of years and maligned when it was first discovered in the West, the Yoga Sutra has been elevated to its present iconic status - and translated into more than 40 languages - only in the course of the past 40 years.

White retraces the strange and circuitous journey of this confounding work from its ancient origins down through its heyday in the seventh through eleventh centuries, its gradual fall into obscurity, and its modern resurgence since the nineteenth century. First introduced to the West by the British Orientalist Henry Thomas Colebrooke, the Yoga Sutra was revived largely in Europe and America, and predominantly in English. White brings to life the improbable cast of characters whose interpretations - and misappropriations - of the Yoga Sutra led to its revered place in popular culture today. Tracing the remarkable trajectory of this enigmatic work, White’s exhaustively researched book also demonstrates why the yoga of India’s past bears little resemblance to the yoga practiced today.

©2014 Princeton University Press (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Very poor - a total waste of money

This book is pure garbage. it might be of interest to history buffs, but has nothing to do with the Yoga Sutras as a practice.

Excellent historical context of the Patanjali sutras

I should start with my estimation that I am a partisan of both yoga and serious history.

I have been practicing yoga for 10 years and read a fair amount of books about the history and philosophy behind the physical routines.

Some of the teachers I like enjoy venturing in lengthy dharma talks of various quality, new age style. They have an somewhat amusing somewhat worrisome attitude of deep knowledge of yoga history and philosophy that is full of inconsistencies and makes it sounds like sloganeering that cheapens the practice.

This book helps put the Patanjali sutras in its historical context and details it’s relationship with the yoga practiced in the West today.
Yoga it’s a fantastic practice beyond that most of its adepts understand and this book does not dispute this.

Not sure why many people got personally insulted by this straightening of the record.

Exceptional Scholarship

This is absolute required reading for anyone who has thought to apply Yoga Philosophy and Modern Yoga practice. Sane, rational, and highly discerning undertaking

Great Narrative and Content

Being Patanjali Sutras the book that shaped my life. It’s awesome to have it put in context. Great narrative and content.

Extremely in-depth analysis

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book goes above and beyond to determine the history of the Yoga Sutra.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali?

No one in particular, but overall was very thought provoking.

What does Peter Ganim bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He pronounces names and words in sanskrit very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Kind of. It's rather long though, and my brain needed a break to digest the confounding info.

Any additional comments?

While this book left me without an answer, it was certainly an enjoyable ride, analyzing the history of the work.