Sanskrit Reading Group: Yoga Sutras II

This is the second of a two-part reading course on the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical principles and aims of the ancient Indic spiritual practice of yoga. We will continue reading, in the original Sanskrit, Patanjali’s classical treatise on yoga—a work comprised of aphoristic sutras in four books, that asks: What are the processes of the mind? How do mental activities change and persist? The formation of lexemes in the text offer varieties in compound words and semantic values, syntactical relationships and sentence structures, as well as lexical derivations. Through line by line glosses and by aligning temporal and spatial cues, we will deconstruct the lexemes, engaging in meditative word play to both explore and experience the mind’s activities. We will also examine the difference between yoga as internal meditation and yoga as a way of life, both in South Asia and in the United States.

This course is intended for students who have recently completed a grammar course and for those who once studied Sanskrit and are now looking for an opportunity to return to it. Our textbook is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, revised edition with translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda (Integral Yoga Publications, 2012); students will also be provided a complementary study guide. The course is capped at eight students.

Course Schedule

Friday, 11:00am-1:00pm ET
March 20 — May 01, 2026
6 sessions over 7 weeks
Class will not meet on Friday, April 3.

$335.00

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