All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Maharshi Patanjali was so deeply engrossed in study, reflection and research of the yogic science that he had forgotten himself. Yogic science is the scientific gift from the ancient rishis. It was being discussed not only within the university but in the entire country that Maharshi was engaged in some specific and important experiments in yogic science. They also knew about his rigorous penance, extraordinary intellect and his yoga sadhana which made the impossible possible. Over and above all these was the power of his resolve. It was well known that once Maharshi uttered something, then it was bound to happen. His immaculate resolve could never go in vain. In the recent past when he had written the commentary on Panini’s grammar, he had given this example in explanation to Sutra 3/1/26 of Panini – pushyamitro yajate, pushyamitro yaa jaayate (meaning – Pushyamitra is performing Yagya, He is the Yajman). With respect to another sutra 3/2/123, he gave an example in his commentary thus – iha pushyamitram yaajayaamah (meaning - this is the Yagya of Pushyamitra).

People discussed at length about the present tense used in the above commentary, because Pushyamitra had completed his studies in his Gurukul and had been appointed in an ordinary post in the army of Mauryan emperor Brihadrath. In those days, due to the cowardly nature of Brihadrath, foreigners had invaded India. In such conditions, what yagya could Pushyamitra perform? For which yagya will Maharshi choose him as the yajman? When these questions were asked by his disciple Kritayasha, Maharshi replied – “He will be the yajman of Ashwamedha Yagya. Pushyamitra is soon going to oust the foreign invaders and free India. Then we will perform Ashwamedha Yagya.” She asked how this was possible. Maharshi replied – “When the ruling classes of a nation do not discharge their duties efficiently in protecting the country, then spiritual powers should spring into action and fulfill those responsibilities.”    

After this Maharshi Patanjali did not say anything. We are talking about a time 3200 years back from now. With the downfall of Brihadrath, invaders left our country. All this was done by Maharshi’s dear disciple Pushyamitra Shung who, after being crowned as the emperor of India, performed Ashwamedha Yagya in which Maharshi Patanjali assumed the role of Acharya. It was this Maharshi who reviewed and revised the book on healing methods written by Acharya Agnivesh and changed its title to ‘Charak Samhita’. Earlier it was tilted ‘Atreya Samhita’, as a mark of respect to Atreya Punarvasu, the teacher of Acharya Agnivesh. When his disciples asked why he had changed the title to Charak Samhita, he laughed and replied – “This title echoes the theme of the Vedas - ‘Charaiveti! Charaiveti!!’ which means that one who is active remains healthy, wealthy and wise.”

It is this Maharshi who in his latter half of life was deeply engrossed in research on yogic science. In this great work, his companions were Gavishthir, Vishwasaam, Kritayasha, and Poulomi. All these were disciples of Maharshi. Among them Gavishtir and Vishwasaam had been with him since the inception of Gurukul. Kritayasha and Poulomi were princesses. After completing their studies, during the convocation ceremony these two princesses took the resolve of dedicating their entire lives for Yoga Sadhana. Where else could they get better guidance than from the highly learned Maharshi. The hub of their research was the Kulapati Kuteer (Chancellor’s residence) in the university campus. This spacious kuteer was more a laboratory and library than a residence.

Maharshi was an expert in physiology and medical science, in addition to grammar and acoustics. He was also an authority on behavioral sciences and in understanding the subtleties of mind. His expertise in varied fields was reflected in his research activities. He had studied and analyzed all the scriptures related to Yoga right from the times of Rig Veda to those written Mahatma Buddha and Teerthankar Mahavir. This analysis by him was not limited to mere intellectual and logical levels; he had conducted various difficult experiments related to them. He had made subtle observations and analysis on the effect of yoga on behavior, physical health, pranic processes, subtle emotions of the mind, impressions, actions, expansive effects in nature and creation. He used to say that yoga vidya refines and purifies behavior, thoughts, and mental impressions; and makes one realize the Self.

He began to formulate sutras based on all the facts available in the erstwhile scriptures on yoga, and those suggested by various scholars, yogis, sadhaks and siddhas. He was executing this project like a true scientist. There was no place for opinions, beliefs or faith in these sutras. Whatever was established as a fact, as a result of experimentation, was being accepted. His book which is divided into 4 Padas – Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada and Kaivalya pada has 51, 55, 55 and 34 sutras in each, respectively. Hence the whole text contains only a total of 195 sutras. This science of yoga given by him is for those who believe in the power of God. It is also for those who are atheists and do not believe in God. There is no discretion of caste, creed, region and sex for using this text.

On the evening the script was completed, he was strolling in the Kulapati Kuteer. It was as though the rays of the setting sun were enveloping the lotuses that were in bloom in the lake and bidding farewell. The flowers in the garden were spreading their fragrance. Maharshi was silently strolling. There was serene happiness on his face. His companions in the work - his disciples - offered their salutations from the entrance of the kuteer. He raised his hands as a gesture of blessing. Among them, Poulomi spoke with slight hesitation – “Respected sir, which sutra is the most important among the 195 sutras formulated by you?” He replied that it is the first sutra namely – Atha Yoganushasanam – because yogic science is only for those who follow the discipline of scientific techniques of this science”. And, “Acharya, what are these fundamental scientific techniques?” He replied – “Daughter! It is an eight-fold process –
1.    Yama – for refining your behavior because they comprise of principles for noble behavior and actions
2.    Niyama – for preventing your thoughts from getting scattered
3.    Asana - for making the body agile, strong and healthy
4.    Pranayama - for cleansing the prana
5.    Pratyahar – to imbibe pranic flow along with thought consciousness
6.    Dharna – to get energy to imbibe Tatva, Satva and Satya
7.    Dhyana – to be engrossed in the various dharanas
8.    Samadhi – to realize the Truth and the Self by entering through the door of dhyana”

All the disciples in a unanimous voice said – “We are extremely fortunate for having been in your company.” At that Maharshi said – “My children! I am ever grateful for your loving co-operation.” Then the students read out these lines and surprised the Maharshi –



Meaning: We fold our hands and offer our salutations to the supreme Muni Patanjali who has developed the science that removes the impurities of: mind through yoga; speech through the commentary of sutras; body through composition of Vaidyakshastra (scripture on medicine). We prostrate to the Seshavatar Maharshi Patanjali who has composed Patanjali Sutras, Mahabhashya and Charak Samhita and developed the science of removing the impurities of mind, speech and body.