Astanga Yoga – English

Astanga Yoga

The book Astanga Yoga is not an independent work of Swami Charandas; it is a part of the book Bhakti Sagar. As said above, Astanga is one of the chapter of the same book. It covers all 8 steps of Patanjali Yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahar. Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

It starts with a talk between the Guru and Shisya. The only difference is in Yama & Niyama: perhaps it has taken the inspiration from Vashistha Samhita which describes 10 Yama & 10 Niyamas. Charandas categorizes Dharana according to different tattvas. The same thing is repeated in technique of Dhyana. But on the whole it is a unique book. One must see the evolution historically and progressively of yoga practices and this book. What we eat, what we do not. How much is described in unique way. I am sure those who know hindi will like much more.