Maharshi Patanjali
Maharshi Patanjali, Father of Yoga:
Patanjali Maharshi, a God of yoga and every yoga practitioner knows
about this. Also Maharishi Patanjali was
the avatar of Adi Shesha - the Infinite Cosmic Serpent upon whom Lord Vishnu
rests. Maharshi Patanjali is considered to be the compiler of the Yoga Sutras.
He is also supposed to be the writer of a work on the ancient Indian medicine
system, Ayurveda.
The life history of Patanjali is full of legends and contradictions.
There are no proper authentic records regarding his birth. As per one legend,
he fell (pata) into the hands (anjali) of a woman, thus giving him the name
Patanjali.
The ancient text ‘Yoga Sutras’ written by Patanjali, is said that once,
while watching a dance by Lord Shiva, Adi Shesha found it unbearable to support
the weight of Lord Vishnu. Amazed at this, he asked Lord Vishnu the reason for
the same. Lord Vishnu said that this was because of his harmony with Lord
Shiva's energy state, owing to the practice of Yoga. Realizing the value and
benefits of Yoga, Adi Shesha decided to be born amongst humans as 'Patanjali',
to teach them the great art.
Maharishi Patanjali, "The Father of Yoga", compiled 195
sutras, divided into four chapters, SAMADHI PADA, SADHANA PADA, VIBHOOTI PADA, and
KAIVALYA PADA, which serve as a framework for integrating Yoga into the daily
routine and leading an ethical life.
Yoga
Sutras are considered to serve as the basis of the yogic techniques. The exact
date of the compilation of the Yoga Sutras is not known. However, it is
believed that they were written somewhere around 200 BC. The core of
Patanjali's teachings lies in the eightfold path of yoga. The path shows the
way to live a better life through yoga.
