Abu Rayhan al-Biruni (d. ca 1050)
translated and annotated by Shlomo Pines and Tuvia Gelblum

We present here in one single document the groundbreaking translation by Pines and Gelblum of Al-Biruni’s work, a major early reference for comparative studies at the deepest level of interfaith dialogue.

I went on translating from the Indian language books of arithmeticians and astronomers till I turned to books on wisdom preserved by their elite, and with respect to which the ascetics compete with a view to progressing upon the way to worship.

Click here to view the PDF (15MB).

And click here to access the original Sanskrit work by Patanjali.

Originally published in three parts in the Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, vols. 29/2 (1966), 40/3 (1977), and 46/2 (1983). Republished here with thanks.