Patanjali Sidhar is one of the most important Siddhars who showed humanity the path of spiritual renaissance. He put together the 195 sutras of yoga. His Yogasutra text is like a garland of 195 pearls.
Human beings are the greatest among creatures because they can be free to know the universe. Yogasutra revealed this. There is a belief that Patanjali lived 1400 years before Christ. Some studies show his time to be around 200 BC.
The sutra that begins with “Yogaschitha vrithi nirodhana” continues to be studied even today. It means yoga is capable of removing the worries of the mind. Some worship him as an avatar of Aadishesha.
“Nandi arulprabha natharai nadinom
Nandikal nalvar sivayogamamuni
Manru thozhutha patanjalivyakhamar
Enrivar ennodu enmarumame”
Says Thirumanthiram.
From Siva’s disciple Nandi, yoga was learnt by Sanakasananadi ie Sanakar, Sanathanar, Sanan and Sanalkumaran. Along with them Sivayogamamuni, Patanjali, Vyakharpadar and Thirumular also learnt yoga. Patanjali is called Pambukal or snake feet by yoga disciples.
Patanjali witnessed the infinite cosmic dance of Nataraja at Chidambaram. He saw the yogic path in that dance. It was revealed to him as a combination of Samadhi, Sadhana, Vibhuti, and Kaivalya routes. He reminds us to strive on the path of knowledge, awakening, and spirituality.
We can find his great works in Sidhayoga, Jnana, and Sidha medical systems in both Sanskrit and Tamil. His Jeeva Samadhis are found in Thirupattoor near Brahmapureshwaram and at Chidambaram.
His linguistic treatise Mahabhashyam is based on Panini’s Ashtadhyayi. Patanjali Tantram, Yogaratnakaram and Yogaratna samuchayam are works on treatment systems.
Some historians claim that linguist Patanjali and yoga exponent Patanjali are different people.
Paramamethum porulethokaranam
Vivaramarinjuthane soosannai
Mazhuthura venchulumaya
Perumaiyuravakki
He sings this in one of his Jnanakavyas meaning that the ultimate truth is the cause of everything and knowledge can only give us very few clues about it. Everything else is Maya.
Patanjali’s yoga sutra has been translated into several Indian and world languages including Japanese and Arabic.
The 51 sutras of Samadhi Padam is a guide for devotees to merge with the divine light. It elucidates what is meant by Mukti or kaivalya.
The verse that begins with Chithavrithi nirodhaka describes Tapas, Swadhyayam, and Eswara Pranidanam.
Yamaniyamasanapranayama
Prathyahara dharana dhyana samadhi
names the 8 types of yoga.
Vibhudipada debates whether yoga paths towards siddhis are suitable for those seeking Kaivalya. It contains 56 sutras. The 34 sutras of Kaivalyapada describe moksha.
Swami Vivekananda, the epitome of Indian eloquence, has translated Yogasutra.
Among the 18 sidhars, Patanjali continues to radiate energy for yoga students around the world.
