A collection of manuscripts—twenty of them Persian, two Eastern Turkish, and two Arabic—was presented to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in March, 1913, by Mr. Alexander Smith Cochran, of Yonkers, New York. This publication provides insight into the authors of these texts and unpacks the painstakingly rendered imagery in these beautiful manuscript illustrations.

Includes: "Poetic elements in Sanskrit literature " explains the extensive use of verse in Indian texts. "Introduction to Metrics " gives a clear overview of Sanskrit prosody. "A Treasury of Common Meters" includes fully-worked examples of verses drawn from many sources. "Figures of Speech" explains similies, metaphors, and other poetic uses of language. "Figures of Sound" explains techniques that affect sound, such as rhyme and alliteration. A metrical analysis of the Hathapradipika, the best-known work on Hatha Yoga, is included. An Introduction to the Hathapradipika by Anthony Biduck summarizes key spiritual and philosophical ideas of Hatha Yoga.