Drawing on many avenues of inquiry: archaeological excavations; surveys; laboratory work; highly specialized scientific investigations; and on both historical and ethnohistorical records; Ancient Civilizations; 3/e provides a comprehensive and straightforward account of the world’s first civilizations and a brief summary of the way in which they were discovered.
Patanjali 2016-06-21Original language:English 9.02 x .22 x 5.98l; .34 #File Name: 131874458X108 pagesThe Yoga Sutras of Patanjali The Book of the Spiritual Man
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Innovative Twist of an Ancient ScriptureBy The Peripatetic ReaderWith the possible exception of the Bhagavad Gita; the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the most translated Hindu scripture in existence. The Commentaries are innumerable and rival in number to the translations as well.This book joins the ranks in the many available English versions. The translator of this version — not apparently identified in the book — points out that this is an “interpretation†of this great work.This version contains a commentary on each sutra. It also is a drastic reinterpretation of the work; creating a new terminology in the process. The meaning is there; the essence of the various sutras are present; but instead of retaining the original Sanskrit word of the various concepts found therein; or an ordinary translation; the translator/interpreter has employed his/her own terminology. Thus; instead of advidya; ignorance; the translator/interpreter uses “unwisdom.†The gunas are “potencies of nature.†Samskaras become “mind-impressions;†and pratyayas become “mind images.†Dharana becomes; “attention;†dhyana becomes “meditation;†samadhi becomes “soul vision;†and samyana; the combined concentration of dharana; dhyana; and samadhi; becomes “perfectly concentrated meditation.â€Using terminology in this manner is in many instances conveys more meaning because many of the original Sanskrit words cannot be adequately translated in a single word. The Sanskrit word; vritti is a good example. Some translations render this word as “fluctuations.†It usually takes a commentary to further explain to meaning of vrittis. This interpretation uses the phrase; “versatile psychic nature.â€This is an entirely different approach to the Yoga Sutras. While other translations have translated the sutras with more descriptive wording; and others have simply retained the original Sanskrit; this presentation goes farther in creating a entirely new terminology wholesale.It is an acquired taste; and you will probably be reading this reinterpretation with another conventional translation at hand to “translate†the translator/interpreter’s meaning; but this version will increase your understanding of this work.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Love the Sutras ~ don't like this particular translation.By Kindle CustomerI don't like this particular translation/discussion of the Sutras. Somehow the translator managed to convolute short; direct sentences. They introduce foreign terms and seem to go on tangents. I've found myself just reading the direct translation and then googling several other sites which do a much better job of discussing the sentences further; without having to create their own phrasing or concepts. And since you can already find Patanjali's writing online; you're really buying the book for the discussion of the translation.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Spiritual Reading - Required for Yoga TTBy AdjeThis book was a requirement for my 200-hr YTT. It brought together many of my past spiritual and psychological readings and learnings. I think it may be harder for someone to grasp if they haven't done some sort of extensive meditation and yoga practice but the reading displays the truth of mind and collective consciousness. I recommend it as a essential reading to any spiritual-reading library.
