Yogi Patanjali
Yogi Patanjali, a Philosopher of yoga, was born in Nepal during the 2nd century BCE, 2,500 years ago in the Arghakhanchi district. His name and birth itself are very interesting for all yogis. His name Patanjali is made by two words “Pata” means to fall and ‘Anjali’ means palm. His mother Gonika was doing daily religious rituals and prayers on the bank of the river as she does daily, suddenly Patanjali as a form of Adhishesha has fallen on her palm as the serpent shape of the snake then slowly he turned into the person his name become Patanjali.
He initiated Astanga Yoga (Eight-limbed Yoga), Kriya yoga, and raja yoga. He is the author of Yoga Sutra, which is a classical textbook of yoga philosophy. He is regarded as the founder of contemporary yoga. He was a great hermit, scientist, doctor, musician, dancer, mathematician, and language specialist.
Although yoga was known and practiced before Patanjali’s time, he collected and codified what had previously been taught orally from teacher to student. It is stated that Maarshi Patanjali wrote everything there is to know about yoga. The majority of old and new yoga and meditation literature is based on Patanjali’s yoga sutra. When Swami Vivekananda published his book on raja yoga in 1896, based on the yoga sutras, he increased its popularity.
Numerous ancient texts on yoga, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, dance, and language were attributed to him. One of the main points made by contemporary academics is that it is difficult for one person to be an expert in so many fields. They claim that at least two “Patanjalis” must have worked on these topics. Many spiritual leaders disagree, claiming that only one individual is to blame. Such is Patanjali’s magnificence. He is credited as a saint who cleansed the body through Ayurveda, the speech pollutants through Mahabhasya, and the impurities of the mind through yoga.
Works of Sage Patanjali
He is credited with compiling the Yoga sutras, which are the foundational text of yoga. He is credited with compiling the Yoga sutras, which are the foundational texts of yoga. The formula is a sutra. It contains 195 sutras or words of wisdom. It is fundamental to traditional yoga and its most significant component. Not only did he not design yoga, but he also collected and recorded the numerous styles that existed at the time. He organized everything into a method that was easy to follow. The goal of the yoga sutras is to become one with God’s consciousness and free oneself from the cycle of birth and death.
Ashtadhyayi of Panini is explained in his ancient grammar and linguistics treatise Mahabhasya, which was written by him. It is an outstanding piece of writing and the first grammar work ever produced for language. He clarifies and unambiguously specifies the Sanskrit grammar’s rules.
He also wrote Patanjalatantra, a book on herbal and natural medicine, and Charakavattika, “a commentary on Chakra Samhita. He was a recognized expert in the medical sciences. Based on the aforementioned publications, several classical medical texts have been produced.
He was also a talented dancer as well. In India traditional dancers honor and revere Patanjali.
Myths
Yogi Patanjali is believed to be the incarnation of the serpent Adishesha, on whom Lord Vishnu (Sustainer of the creation) rests. While perched atop Adishesha, Lord Vishnu once observed Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance, known as the tandava nritya. His body started to vibrate to Lord Shiva’s beat since he was so engrossed in the dance movements. Adishesha felt a lot of discomfort as a result. Lord Vishnu’s body returned to being light as soon as the dance was over.
Lord Adishesha, perplexed, enquired of his master what had occurred. He was vibrating with Lord Shiva’s cosmic vibration, the Lord explained to him. He asked Lord Vishnu to educate him because the procedure fascinated him. Lord Shiva would soon bless him and take a human form to impart yoga, dancing, and other disciplines to everyone, according to Lord Vishnu, who also bestowed him with blessings. Adishesha began meditating to identify his mother after hearing this with enthusiasm. A yogini by the name of Gonika was also meditating at the same time in search of a deserving son to whom she might teach her knowledge and wisdom. She then took a small amount of water and gave it to Lord Sun. She was ready to offer the water when she began to reflect on the Lord Sun. She was shocked to notice a little snake crawling in her hands. It changed into a human form right away and begged her to adopt it as her son. She gave the infant the name Patanjali. Pata, which means to fall or to fall, and Anjali, which means to fold the palms. Then Gonika agreed and cheerfully shared her understanding and experience.
Sage Patanjali made the decision to impart his wisdom to 1000 students who came from all regions of the country. They all assembled in the Vindhya mountains’ southern region. To ensure that no one could see him, the teacher would instruct from a screen or veil. It’s also intriguing that he would say nothing, but the pupils would finish the lesson well-informed. Additionally, he proposed two restrictions: no one should peek behind the curtain or leave the room until the lecture is over. The pupils concurred.
Everything was going according to plan until a boy made the decision to answer his natural call. He walked outside in a desperate attempt to relieve himself, believing that the master would be unaware of his side of the situation. Other students started to wonder how the master could instruct so effectively without speaking, so they pulled back the curtain. They violated the first requirement. As soon as Patanjali noticed it, he cursed everyone and converted them into ashes. Everyone was consumed by fire, with the exception of the younger ones, who left. Everyone was covered in ashes when the boy arrived back. He begged the master’s pardon. Thinking that at least one student had remained to impart information, the master made the decision to pardon him. So Patanjali instructed that disciple is everything. But because he disregarded the law, the sage was forced to curse him, turning him into a ghost known as bhahmarakshas. Only if he finds a pupil to whom he can impart the knowledge would be free from the curse. Patanjali disappeared after that.
He waited for a long duration hanging on a tree to find a student. No one was ready to learn from him. Patanjali, out of compassion, took pity on him and decided to become his student. Then the boy recited the sutras to Patanjali, who transposed them onto leaves and kept the bundle of leaves on the ground. It is said that, while he slept, a goat ate most of the leaves. Then Patanjali collected the remaining parts and left for the Himalayas.
The Brahmarakshasa hung out on a tree for a while before capturing a pupil. Nobody was prepared to be his student. Out of compassion, Patanjali became his student. The youngster then recounted the sutras to Patanjali, who wrote them on a bundle of leaves and kept them on the ground. According to legend, a goat ate the majority of the leaves while he slept. Then Patanjali gathered the last few components and departed towards the Himalayas.
The story is symbolic; meaning-
There appears to be more to the narrative than is shown on the surface. However, when we glean the spiritual significance, we discover much more than just the story. We will learn who the sage Patanjali is when we understand the first section of the narrative. The story skillfully explains the stature and brilliance of the Sage Patanjali. He supposedly Serpent Adishesha in human form. Snakes are usually associated with mysticism in Hinduism. In yoga, kundalini is represented by a coiling snake. The base of the spine is where the kundalini is supposed to reside.
When Lord Vishnu is enjoying Lord Shiva’s dance while perched on the serpent Adishesha, it is like when someone is meditating and their kundalini wakes. Enlightenment occurs when the kundalini awakens, and once it does, the person will know everything. As a result, Patanjali can be considered the most enlightened beings who have gained absolute oneness. He is shown as a half-man, half-snake figuratively because he has transcended life’s dualities.
According to the second half of the narrative, he was instructing the students from behind a screen. The image is intended to symbolically convey the idea that the creator is the only thing that mutterers, not the author. In the East, particularly in Hinduism, the author just serves as a conduit via which the reader is given the information and concepts. The only thing an author can do is ingest information; he does not produce anything. The reader has a direct link to the learning itself, in this case, therefore there is no issue of the author influencing the reader.
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