Results for Patanjiali

Meet Patanjiali - Trailer

In this season, we begin by discovering who Patañjali was, exploring the historical and cultural context in which he lived. We examine the distinctive features of the Yoga Sutra and its enduring significance among the many commentaries that have interpreted this foundational text.
Through each episode, listeners gain insight into Patañjali’s vision, understanding not only the philosophical and practical guidance of the sutras but also their unique place in the broader tradition of yoga scholarship.

Meet Patanjiali - Ep.1 Longevity and vitality of Yoga Sutra

In the first episode, we explore why the Yoga Sutra of Patañjali has remained a central text in the yoga tradition for centuries. We examine the factors behind its longevity and relevance, from its concise and systematic presentation of yogic practice to its philosophical depth, practical applicability, and influence on subsequent commentaries. Listeners will gain insight into why this foundational work continues to shape the understanding and practice of yoga today.

Meet Patanjiali - Ep.2 Who was Patanjiali?

In this episode, we delve into the enigmatic figure of Patañjali, exploring how he has been portrayed across myth, history, and yogic literature. We examine the layers of legend surrounding his life, the historical evidence available, and how later texts and commentaries have shaped our understanding of him as both a sage and a foundational authority in the yoga tradition.

Meet Patanjiali - Ep.3 The Gangetic plane: a hotbet for Yoga thinkers

In this episode, we explore the rich historical and cultural environment of the Indian subcontinent that gave rise to some of its most important thinkers, including Patañjali. We examine the social, philosophical, and spiritual currents of the time, highlighting the traditions, debates, and practices that shaped the intellectual landscape in which the Yoga Sutra emerged.

Meet Patanjiali - Ep.4 Greater Magadha and Buddha's philosophical earthquake

In this episode, we take a closer look at the region known as Greater Magadha and the period of the Second Urbanization in the Ganges plain. We explore how the social, political, and intellectual developments of this era created fertile ground for philosophical innovation, ascetic movements, and the emergence of key thinkers like Patañjali. This historical and cultural backdrop helps us understand the conditions that shaped early yoga thought and the context in which the Yoga Sutra would later take form.

Meet Patanjiali - Ep.5 Patanjiali's eight-fold Yoga path: continuity and novelty

In this episode, we introduce the Yoga Sutra of Patañjali, exploring how it both continues and diverges from earlier yogic texts. We examine the ways Patañjali built on preexisting traditions while introducing systematic structure, concise aphorisms, and a clear framework for practice and philosophy. Listeners will discover why the Yoga Sutra was revolutionary for its time and how its innovative approach has ensured its lasting influence in the yoga tradition.

Meet Patanjiali - Ep.6 Yoga Sutra: A text to be embodied

In this episode, we explore the structure of the Yoga Sutra of Patañjali and how it was designed to be experienced, not just read. We examine the concise aphorisms, the organization of the four chapters (pāda), and the progression from ethical foundations to meditation and samadhi. Listeners will learn how the text guides practitioners toward embodiment, turning philosophical principles into lived experience through disciplined practice and attentive awareness.

Meet Patanjiali - Ep.7 Brief history of Yoga Sutra commentaries

In this episode we take listeners on a historical tour of the rich commentarial tradition surrounding the Yoga Sutra of Patañjali, showing how interpreters across the centuries have engaged with and expanded its terse aphorisms.