A CRITICAL STUDY OF SWAMI KRISHNANANDA’S INTERPRETATION OF YOGA PHILOSOPHY

Swami Krishnananda's interpretation of Yoga philosophy, especially his exposition of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, uniquely integrates classical Yoga with Advaita Vedanta's non-dualistic metaphysics. As a disciple of Swami Sivananda, he harmonizes Yoga's dualistic framework with Vedanta's non-dual vision, offering a holistic understanding of spiritual practice and liberation (moksha). The paper examines his ontological and epistemological views, his perspective on the mind, meditation's role, and how his synthesis contributes to Indian philosophical thought. It assesses the philosophical consistency, originality, and spiritual relevance of his interpretation.

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Abstract

This study critically examines Swami Krishnananda's interpretation of Yoga philosophy, focusing particularly on his exposition of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and its integration with Vedantic metaphysics.As a prominent disciple of Swami Sivananda and a prolific spiritual scholar, Swami Krishnananda offers a unique synthesis of classical Yoga and non-dualistic Advaita Vedanta.The paper explores his ontological and epistemological perspectives, his views on the nature of the mind, the role of meditation, and the concept of liberation (moksha).Special attention is given to how he harmonizes the dualistic framework of Yoga with the non-dualistic vision of Vedanta, contributing to a holistic understanding of spiritual practice and realization.This study aims to assess the philosophical consistency, originality, and spiritual relevance of his interpretation within the broader spectrum of Indian philosophical thought.