Patanjala Yoga Sutra

PREFACE

It was a long standing demand from everyone associated with Kaivalyadhāma to prepare a commentary on Patañjala Yoga Sūtra (P. Y.S.) on Scientific lines and understanding Dr. P. V. Karambelkar (Ph.D. in Bio Chemistry) whom we lovingly call ‘Kākā’, the then Joint Director of Research and a very close associate of the founder Director of Kaivalyadhāma Swami Kuvalyānandaji, took the task of writing a Commentary on P.Y.S. Kākā has a very long experience of teaching Yoga Sūtras in our G.S. College of Yoga and Cultural Synthesis.

His interpretations of Sūtras emerge not only from his Scientific researches in the field of Yoga but also from his personal experiences of yoga Sadhanā, both immensely contributing towards the worth of the work which it has presently assumed. Initially the whole commentary was serialized and published in Yoga Mimāmsā (a Quarterly Research Journal) Published by Kaivalyadhāma, Lonavla. Simultaneously, around one thousand extra copies of each serial were printed, which were later combined and given the shape of a book. The book was received vehemently even without any introduction or index.

Due to the increasing demand for this commentary, the book soon became unavailable for many readers, and hence the need for the publication of its second edition was greatly felt. Fortunately for all the Yoga lovers, Kākā, the commentator himself, went through the whole book again and changes/corrections wherever necessary were made by him for the present edition.

A few words about the originality of the present commentary will be opportune. Kākā has at his credit several original interpretations on many central issues of Patañjala Yoga Sūtras, which have featured in his introduction too. The Interpretations, such as, of Samäpatti, its relation with Samadhi, of the number of Samadhis advocated by Traditional as well as Modern commentators differ in important respect, as rightly claimed by Kākā. I hope that the yoga lovers will be enriched and enhanced in their understanding of P.Y.S. by these interpretations and they themselves will appreciate the scientific approach of Yoga Sūtra of Patanjali.

The responsibility of giving this book a final shape- prior to publication-was given to our Philosophico-Literary Research Department and the staff members of the Department painstakingly took care of every aspect of its presentation along with adding an exhaustive Index for the facilitation of the readers. The Institute appreciates the effort made by them.

We have no words to express our feelings of gratitude to Shri O. P. Tiwariji, Secretary, Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla, who has really dedicated his whole life for the sake of this Institute and his contribution can best be termed as an example of a Karmayogi.

Our thanks are due to Mrs. Pushpa Mandke, Office Superintendent, K.S.M.Y.M. Samiti, Lonavla, for providing link between the Institute and the Printer.

Mrs. Nazima K. Saudagar deserves our thanks for the typing work related with Index etc..

We thank Mr. Nitin Tanpure, the Prop. ACE Enterprises, Pune, who has taken pains towards the type setting and printing work of the present book within the stipulated time.

We thank all our ashramite co-brothers and sisters for their constant inspiration and appreciations.

Last but definitely not the least, we humbly request our learned readers and practitioners of yoga to communicate their valuable suggestions and comments, if any, which will be appreciated and incorporated in the next edition of this commentary.

Swami Maheshananda