I got into a lengthy argument with a scholar who specializes in sanskrit translation. He was promoting a friends website, who recently re-tranlsated the yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I was essentially told that I could not properly put value in one translation over another because I could not speak or read sanskrit. So this got me thinking. Who’s text, (vedas, upanishads, gita, Yoga sutras, etc) and who’s translation should an up and coming yogi in the West subscribe to? How are we to know? Even the person who translates sanskrit was taught by someone he must put trust in. I’ve come to this crossroads before, and it’s very frustrating. Just when I feel like I can rely on a method of practice, there’s always something or somone to enstill doubt. I once asked the yoga teacher I recieved teacher training from, "Who’s philosophy do I subscribe to, which philosophy do I practice? there are so many. How can I be sure I have made the right choice"
She replied that I should live my own philosophies and not worry about any of the others…
break everything down. burn it to ashes. once you have done this. build using ashes. for ashes are incombustable truth. everything that went up in flames and combusted was fallicy and falsehood.
In short. its the subjective word. the abyss. you must find your own nich, based on the exploration of the experiential reality.
Perfect your experiance ~
The thought of that literally scares the hell out of me. Who am I to know anything?
I share your frustration JSK. It is difficult finding reliable translations of Sanskrit texts, especially of the Vedas. The best approach is to read as many translations as you can to get a general overview and understanding, and then to attempt a translation of your own by either learning Sanskrit or referencing the transliterated Sanskrit with a Sanskrit dictionary(Monier Williams)
If you want specific translations of the Yoga Sutras that I consider to be the most accurate and reliable, PM me
The question you pose is about guidance. Whom do I listen to? Who points me in a direction when I need pointing? And it sounds like you’ve received some feedback from the person you’ve selected.
The student of yoga is to be taught discernment; methods to go inside of themselves and ferret out what is appropriate for their living. I’ve said several times that diversity is the spice of life BUT too many cooks spoil the stew. The answer for one’s spirit, source, or soul is contain in the heart center. It is not a mental or vital force as those have ego-laden agendi (my own word, perhaps).
Sanskrit scholars are helpful to learn and use sanskrit. However this, like an over-attachment to anatomy can simply lead one away from the work and become another crafty preoccupation, stall, hiding place, or veneer.
The entire purpose of the practice of yoga for an evolving human being is to explore, discover and live their own dharma (yogic, not religious). It really doesn’t matter which translation of the gita, upanishads, sutras, pradipika you are “in to”.
Have I found a path (for me)? Yes I have. And perhaps you have as well. It is for these sorts of reasons that a teacher living the work is so important and this is why I continue to study with Aadil. I know his commitment, his intention, and therefore know the nature of his guidance.