Yoga as Philosophy and Religion - Classic Study of Patafijali's

Our review of Yoga as Philosophy and Religion, Volume V, places this reprint as a focused scholarly resource for students and readers interested in classical Indian thought. The single biggest reason to buy is its clear, compact exposition of Patafijali's Yoga-sutra as traced through traditional commentaries, making it a useful reference for those studying classical texts rather than a modern how-to manual. This review highlights the book's academic orientation, historical value, and suitability as a reference in courses on Eastern philosophy and religion.

Key Features

• Historical reproduction: The volume reproduces a 1924 study, preserving the original scholarly approach and context for readers comparing early 20th century scholarship with contemporary work.
• Focused scope: The text concentrates on Patafijali's Yoga-sutra and its successive commentaries, providing a compact exposition rather than an expansive survey of unrelated topics.
• Comparative commentary: Dasgupta presents explanations drawn from Vyasa, Vacaspati, and Vijfiana Bhikshu, helping readers trace interpretive differences across classical commentators.
• Volume in a series: As Volume V of a ten-volume collection on India: Religion and Philosophy, it fits well for collectors or course readers seeking continuity within a larger set.
• Academic tone: The writing maintains a scholarly voice that supports citation and integration into academic reading lists for philosophy or religion courses.

Who It's For

This book is best for undergraduate and graduate students of Eastern philosophy, historians of religion, and readers comfortable with academic exposition who want a concise study of the Yoga-sutra and its traditional commentators. It is a good match for seminar reading, reference shelves, and comparative studies of classical interpretations.

Readers looking for a practical yoga guide, modern synthesis of practice and psychology, or a beginner-friendly introduction to yoga techniques should look elsewhere, since the volume emphasizes doctrinal and historical analysis over practice-oriented instruction.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Concentrated scholarly analysis of Patafijali's Yoga-sutra useful for citation and study.
• Includes discussion of several classical commentaries, aiding comparative interpretation.
• Compact volume within a coherent ten-volume collection, making cross-reference convenient.

Cons

• The academic tone and historical focus mean it is not a practical manual for yoga practice.

Specifications

Title	Yoga as Philosophy and Religion, Volume V
Author	Surendranath Dasgupta
Series	India: Religion and Philosophy (Volume V of X)
Original publication	1924
Subject focus	Patafijali's Yoga-sutra and classical commentaries
Intended use	Scholarly study and reference

Our Verdict

Yoga as Philosophy and Religion, Volume V is a valuable scholarly resource for students and researchers focused on classical Indian philosophy and the Yoga-sutra's interpretive tradition; it offers solid historical exposition and comparative commentary, representing good value for academic libraries and serious readers seeking depth rather than practical instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book a practical yoga guide?
No. The volume is an academic study of the Yoga-sutra and its commentaries, not a manual for physical practice.

Does it include modern commentary or translation?
The book reproduces the 1924 scholarly exposition and traces traditional commentators rather than providing modern synthesis or updated translations.

Is this volume part of a larger set?
Yes. It is Volume V in a ten-volume collection on India: Religion and Philosophy, so it aligns with related volumes in the series.