Patañjali
Compiler of the Yoga Sūtras — the classical philosophy and psychology of yoga.
Overview
The compiler of the Yoga Sūtras, the foundational text of the Yoga school (one of the six orthodox systems) and the classical statement of yogic philosophy and psychology. Building on Sāṃkhya metaphysics, he set out an eight-limbed path (aṣṭāṅga yoga) for stilling the fluctuations of the mind to achieve liberation (kaivalya) — the isolation of pure consciousness (puruṣa) from matter (prakṛti). His identity and date are uncertain, and he may be distinct from the grammarian of the same name.
What they supported — and why
Yoga as the stilling of the mind
SupportedYoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff (citta-vṛtti-nirodha).
WhyWhen mental turbulence ceases, pure consciousness rests in its own nature, no longer misidentified with passing thoughts and objects.
The eight-limbed path (aṣṭāṅga)
SupportedEthical restraints, observances, posture, breath control, sense-withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and absorption (samādhi).
WhyLiberation is reached by a graded discipline of body and mind, culminating in deep meditative absorption.
Liberation as isolation (kaivalya)
SupportedThe goal is to discern pure consciousness (puruṣa) from matter (prakṛti) and free it.
WhyBondage is the misidentification of the self with mind and body; discerning their difference liberates consciousness.
Causes championed
- The discipline of the mind
- Meditative liberation
- The practical psychology of consciousness
Issues wrestled with
- How can the restless mind be stilled?
- What is the relation of consciousness and matter?
- What is liberation?
Hurdles faced
- Uncertainty of his identity and date
- Compressing a vast contemplative practice into terse aphorisms
Works & books
1 catalogued. Status shows how much survives to today.
Yoga Sūtras
Survives196 aphorisms defining yoga and the eight-limbed path, with the classical commentary attributed to Vyāsa.
Read the texts free
1 of Patañjali’s works are free to read in full — public-domain English editions on Project Gutenberg, matched from Gutenberg’s own catalogue.
Every edition online.
The influence network
See Patañjali in the map →Influenced by
Influenced
In their words
“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”
— Yoga Sūtras 1.2
Legacy
He gave the world's contemplative traditions their classical charter; his eight-limbed yoga underlies the global practice and philosophy of yoga today.
Further reading
Cross-checked against these authoritative references.