Patanjali

Patanjali is the name traditionally assigned to an ancient Indian sage revered in Hindu and yogic traditions. He is most widely associated with the Yoga Sutras, a concise and foundational text of Yoga philosophy. The Sutras outline an eightfold path of practice and describe a path to spiritual liberation, emphasizing meditation, ethical disciplines, and insight. The work is traditionally divided into four sections: Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, and Kaivalya Pada. The dating of Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras is uncertain, with estimates ranging roughly from the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE. Regardless of exact dating, the Yoga Sutras have had a lasting influence on classical yoga, meditation traditions, and later Indian philosophy.

In addition to the yogic tradition, a separate historical figure named Patanjali is credited with editing and composing the Mahabhashya, a major Sanskrit grammar and commentary on Panini’s Ashtadhyayi. This grammarian Patanjali is generally placed in a similar broad time frame to the Yoga Patanjali, though many scholars treat the two as distinct individuals due to their different works and areas of influence. The Mahabhashya contributed to the systematization of Sanskrit grammar and had a lasting impact on linguistic scholarship.

In modern times, the name Patanjali has also been adopted by Patanjali Ayurved, a contemporary Indian company founded in 2006 that markets ayurvedic products and consumer goods. The various uses of the name reflect the historical and cultural associations with wisdom, language, and traditional Indian knowledge.