PATANJALI पतञ्जलि

— the sage celebrated for composing the Yogasutras, a text which forms the basis of Raja Yoga in theory and practice, describing ashtanga, the eight limbs of yoga. Patañjali is also known as the author of the Mahabhashya (a Sanskrit grammatical treatise) and a text on Ayurveda, titled Patanjalatantra. Although it is uncertain whether these three texts were written by the same individual, Patañjali is revered conceptually as a singular entity, evidenced in the Patañjali invocation mantra: “Yogena chittasya padena vacam, malam sharirasya cha vaidyakena, yopakarottam pravaram muninam, patanjalim pranjaliranatosmi.” Translated from Sanskrit, this mantra states: “I bow with folded hands to the sage Patanjali, who purifies the impurities of the mind by means of yoga, (who purifies) speech by means of grammar, and (who purifies the) body through medicine.” Here, Patanjali’s contributions in the fields of Ayurveda, Yoga and Sanskrit grammar are referenced at once.

Iconographically, Patanjali is represented as a half snake, half human. In this form, he symbolises the transcendence of duality through coalescence, as well as the kundalini, the coiled energy found at the base of the spine, which rises up to the crown of the head when awakened. Traditionally, the head of the snake represents ultimate protection from negative energy, while the coils of the snake’s body represent the threefold omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient nature of Patañjali, as he is represented in this form. The mythology behind the name Patanjali recounts that the sage’s mother was praying to the Sun deity for a child, with her hands joined in reverence (anjali mudra). Suddenly, a snake fell (in Sanskrit “pat” is the verbal root meaning “to fall”) from the sky into her folded hands and eventually transformed into the sage, Patanjali.

This piece is part of a limited edition series of A2 art screenprints on 100% cotton mould-made paper, hand silkscreen printed in England from our original design. 

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*note: colours may appear slightly different in person