Patanjali is to yoga what the Buddha is to Buddhism. His yoga sutras-literally "the path to transcendence"-are a means to profound self-realization and are considered the spiritual and philosophical root of the yoga tradition in its various forms.This concise, poetic rendering of the classic Yoga Sutra text conveys both the essence and depth of the yoga tradition. Mukunda Stiles had a lifelong devotion to the spiritual practice of yoga. Here, he shares Patanjali's essential work with precision and insight. He also includes a succinct line-for-line commentary, as well as word-by-word Sanskrit-to-English translation."This beautiful, poetic rendition of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras was gathered from Mukunda's lifetime of abiding in the good company of the saints and sages of the Great Tradition. We can rely upon the fact that these words come from his own authentic experience of love and life and of Yoga. Please enjoy this gift of poetry from Mukunda and embrace the beauty of your life every day."-Mark Whitwell, author of Yoga of Heart: The Healing Power of Intimate Connection