First I guess is who was Patanjali?
Although not a lot is known about the life of Patanjali, it is believed that he lived somewhere between 500 and 200 BC. He has been acknowledged for giving the Yoga tradition its classical format and so it is often referred to as Classical Yoga. He is most widely known for writing the Yoga Sutras, which is a systematic treatise defining the most important aspects of Yoga theory and practice. He has also been acknowledged for being a grammarian and doctor of Ayurvedic medicine. On top of this he is known as the patron saint of dance in India
The legend surrounding Patanjali is that he may be the grandson of Brahma. He was sent to earth to write a commentary on grammar and devote himself to the perfection of dance. He came to earth as a tiny snake and grew into human form before his mother’s eyes. She named him Patanjali. Pata meaning fallen and anjali meaning “hands folded in prayer”. He is depicted as being half human and half serpent. Patanjali is thought to have 4 hands. Two are in the namaste position, one holding a sankha or conch that embodies energy and one a cakra, a disc that embodies the turning wheel of time or the law of cause and effect.
Mr. Iyengar says in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali that Patanjali’s works are followed by yogis to this day in their effort to develop a refined language, a cultured body and a civilized mind. This is referring to all the great works of Pantanjali on grammar, dance and yoga.
INVOCATION TO PATANJALI |
yogena cittasya padena vacam malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena yopakarottam pravaram muninam patanjalim pranjalir anato'smi abahu purusakaram sankha cakrasi dharinam sahasra sirasam svetam pranamami patanjalim English Translation: Let us bow before the noblest of sages, Patanjali, who gave yoga for serenity and sanctity of mind, grammar for clarity and purity of speech, and medicine for perfection of health. Let us prostrate before Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa, whose upper body has a human form, whose arms hold a conch and a disc, and who is crowned by a thousand-headed cobra. |
The first part of the invocation salutes Patanjali’s achievements as the founding figure of yoga and his achievements in grammar and ayurvedic medicine. The second part salutes Patanjali for carrying the conch and wheel. The part where he is crowned by a thousand-headed cobra refers to his form as Anata or Adisesa, the devine serpent and that in biting his own tail symbolizes endlessness.
The importance of chanting the invocation to Patanjali prior to beginning your yoga practice is that it reminds us of the original culture and tradition yoga came from and gives respect and gratitude to Patanjali for giving yoga to us. In calling respect to Patanjali at the beginning of the yoga practice also humbles the yoga student so the true lessons of yoga can be learnt.
You can listen to B.K.S. Iyengar chant the invocation by visiting http://www.bksiyengar.com/
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
email: plnyoga@plnyoga.vpweb.com
