K. Ramakrishna Rao's Patañjali's Yogasūtra: A Psychological Study

K. Ramakrishna Rao’s Patañjali’s Yogasūtra: A Psychological Study offers a scholarly exploration of Patañjali’sYogasūtra from a psychological perspective. It talks about the eight aṣṭāṅgas set forth by Patañjali, aphorisms,various padas and their impacts on the human mind. Blending classical Indian thought with modern psychology,Rao examines the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of yoga, highlighting its relevance tocontemporary mental health and self-regulation. There is a main focus on yoga psychology, its effect on anindividual’s psyche, role of self or personality with Indian context. This paper evaluates the book’s key arguments,methodology, and contributions to both psychology and Indic philosophy along with the discussion of universalityof Indian psychology, it’s historical background, various theories, showing the dynamic nature of Indianpsychology, psychological aspects of various indigenous texts and the difference in approach of Indian andWestern psychologists. It also discusses the book’s implications for modern psychological practices, particularlyin mindfulness, cognitive therapy, and well-being.