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Vasyl Vernyhora
"The true practical essence of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras"
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Âåðñ³ÿ êíèãè óêðà¿íñüêîþ (2) Âåðñèÿ êíèãè íà ðóññêîì En español Em português Auf Deutsch En français In italiano In het Nederlands På svenska Suomeksi På norsk På dansk: 日本語で |
"The true practical essence of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras" by Vasyl Vernyhora presents a complete, carefully verified and meaningful translation of the key text of yoga—the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The translation not only preserves and conveys the original meaning of the sutras without confusing, quasi-philosophical formulations, but also includes commentary where additional clarification and comparisons with other yoga and Buddhist texts are needed. The book presents the original essence of the concepts of eightfold yoga, including pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi, the true method and meaning of samyama, as well as other aspects of Patanjali's teachings, based on a thorough analysis of the Yoga Sutras and its comparison with the original teachings of the Buddha, which, in turn, were based on the teachings of the ancient yoga of that time.
Although the surviving text of the Yoga Sutras, in addition to several stages of "yogic" editing, also bears obvious traces of Buddhist influences, it is now difficult to determine the reasons for their appearance. For example, this could have been due to the deliberate editing of this yogic text by Buddhists or yogis with Buddhist views. Or it could have been due to the fact that at the time the Yoga Sutras were written, yoga and Buddhism coexisted in the same territory of Hindustan, using the same languages of the time, primarily Sanskrit and its variations. Moreover, the Buddha's own teaching was almost entirely based on the teachings of contemporary yoga, which he purged of accumulated superstitions and useless distortions (including torture of the flesh) of an even older teaching. Although both yoga and Buddhism continued to evolve after the Buddha, the interpenetration of these teachings continued to take place, and the text of the Yoga Sutras perhaps serves as one of the best confirmations of this.
This is not just another translation of the Yoga Sutras from Sanskrit. You may discover for the first time the hidden meaning of sutras 1.17, 2.47, 3.4, and many others. The distinctive features of this edition are, firstly, a carefully verified and meaningful translation, executed in a manner that preserves and conveys the original meaning of the sutras without confusing, quasi-philosophical formulations. Commentaries have been added to the translations of the sutras where additional clarification and comparisons with other yogic and Buddhist texts are needed. Secondly, the practical focus of this edition allows for a true understanding of the method proposed by the author of the Yoga Sutras for achieving the goal of yogic teaching—the development of superconsciousness. Applying this method enables the reader to personally achieve this goal.
What's important is that the teachings of both Patanjali and Buddha have proven effective in achieving superconsciousness. As the saying goes, they are all-powerful because they are true—and they really are.
I hope this comparative analysis of Patanjali's aphorisms and the Buddha's teachings will allow the reader to fill in the gaps in the extremely condensed description of the practice of samadhi in the Yoga Sutras. And perhaps it will encourage them to once again practice this transcendental teaching of Patanjali.
Contents
Introduction 1
Interpretation of key sutras 1.2, 2.54 and 3.1-5 of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras in the context of Buddha's teachings 6
Sutra 1.2 6
Sutras 2.54 and 3.1-5 11
Correspondence of yogic dharana with aspects of Buddhist practice 14
The correspondence of yogic dhyana to aspects of Buddhist practice 17
Comparison of yogic pratyahara, dharana and dhyana with Buddhist samprajnata, ekagrata and smriti 18
Disruption of the sequential flow of presentation in sutras 2.45-48 and further 30
Description of the essence of pranayama in the practice of samadhi in sutras 2.49-53 and 1.41 34
Obstacles to the practice of samadhi listed in sutra 1.30 45
Methods for countering obstacles in the practice of samadhi, given in sutras 1.32-39, 1.12-14, 1.21-23 47
An overview of sutra 1.17 in the context of the description of the first jhana/dhyana of Buddhism 54
Overview of sutras 1.18-20—arhatship and reincarnation 61
Sutras 1.27-28 – Pranava-Om and the practice of meditation 66
Sutras 1.42-51—a selective description of the rupa-dhyanas and arupa-ayatanas 70
Sutras 3.6-15 on one of the methods of practicing samadhi 87
The full text of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras 101
Chapter 1
On concentration (Samadhi-pada) 101
Chapter 2
On practice (Sadhana-pada) 106
Chapter 3
On superpowers (Vibhuti-pada) 112
Chapter 4
On liberation (Kaivalya-pada) 122
About sutra 1.2 and the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism 135
Comparison of the tenth stage of the Noble Tenfold Path of Buddhism and Hindu Moksha 137
Conclusion 138
Other books by the author 139
Reviews of the book on Amazon:
Olloid
5.0 out of 5 stars: RECOMMENDED - an amazing breakthrough in our understanding of this foundational text
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2026
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
I am amazed by the high accomplishment of our expert translator and kindly guide though an apparently simple, but in fact highly complex and elusive text.
This publication must now be the primary reference English language translation.
The book is primarly a new translation of the very succinct sutras. Yet it is also so much more - the translator evidenly has an advanced understanding of the principles and processes of meditation, and the attainments possible. They are therefore able to discern and clarify the most important and subtle aspects of the text, which an ordinary translator could not. Thus the text is brought back to clarity and its original directness for the non sanscrit reader in a way all the other translations really don’t.
Any aspirant meditator will know the text as the fundamental starting point for practice, yet the english language translations have always seemed vague and unsatisfying. As a proficient meditator himself the translator focusses in on the crucial aspects in order to explain and reveal Patanjali's available insights for aspirant meditators.
An invaluable ancient text has been brought back to life!
Reviews of the book on Goodreads:
Igor
December 17, 2025
The book is written at the level of a methodologically rigorous study, in which theoretical principles are consistently supported by practical observations. It is especially valuable that the material is presented in a clear and well-structured manner by an experienced meditation practitioner, making it accessible both to specialists and to thoughtful readers interested in the subject. The work deserves attention as a serious and timely contribution to the study of meditative practices. It will be of interest to everyone who practices meditation, mindfulness, and concentration. The book is written by a practitioner with extensive experience.
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