Who wrote the Yoga Sutras?
The Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of classical yoga philosophy, are credited to the sage Patanjali, who probably lived sometime between about 200 BCE and 400 CE.
- Home
- Fact categories
- Patanjali Facts
Patanjali Facts
Patanjali facts and facts about patanjalis.
10 facts on this shelf
How many sutras are in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras?
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras contain about 196 short verses, called sutras, organized into four chapters.
What are the eight limbs of yoga?
Patanjali described yoga as an eight-part path, called ashtanga or the "eight limbs." It includes ethics, physical postures, breath control, and meditation.
How did Patanjali define yoga?
Patanjali defined yoga as quieting the restless activity of the mind, not as physical exercise.
Does the Yoga Sutras talk about yoga poses?
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras say very little about physical poses. Only a few verses mention asana, mostly as a steady, comfortable seat for meditation.
Why is Patanjali sometimes shown as half serpent?
According to legend, Patanjali was an incarnation of the cosmic serpent Adishesha, so he's often shown with a human upper body and a serpent's tail.
Did Patanjali write about grammar?
Tradition also credits Patanjali with a famous commentary on Sanskrit grammar, though many scholars think it may have been written by a different person with the same name.
Who translated the Yoga Sutras into Arabic?
The Persian scholar al-Biruni translated the Yoga Sutras into Arabic in the 11th century.
What are the yamas?
The yamas are the five ethical principles that begin Patanjali's path, including ahimsa, or nonviolence.
What are the four chapters of the Yoga Sutras?
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are divided into four chapters called padas.