The ShinsungHwa of Patanjali (2019)
A Brief Description of Patanjali’s ShinsungHwa
Patanjali stands as the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text that distills the essence of yogic practice, and is recognized as the founder of the Yoga school within Hindu philosophy’s six classical systems. Though his teachings were largely forgotten for approximately 700 years—from the 12th through the 19th centuries—they were brought back to global attention through the dedicated efforts of Swami Vivekananda.
The luminous spiritual core and radiant mandorla visible in his ShinsungHwa suggest that Patanjali himself embodied the very essence of the Yoga Sutras. The material energy forms manifesting around his hands represent the traces of his monumental work in systematizing and methodically structuring ancient yogic philosophy—what appears to be his divinely appointed mission. The Yoga Sutras identify samadhi, or enlightenment, as the ultimate spiritual attainment. Contemplating Patanjali’s ShinsungHwa invites us to reflect once again on the true meaning and purpose of yoga practice.
Quout
“Yoga is the cessation of the movements of the mind. Then there is abiding in the Seer’s own form.”
“Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked.”
“It is only when the correct practice is followed for a long time, without interruptions and with a quality of positive attitude and eagerness, that it can succeed.”
“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
“Everything is sorrow for the wise.”
“Practice means choosing, applying the effort, and doing those actions that bring a stable and tranquil state.”
“With mastery over the senses, thoughts, and actions comes quickness of mind and perception.”
“When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite ones should be thought of.”
The Ancient Teacher Who Gave Us Modern Yoga
Studying Patanjali can be challenging for scholars since historical information about him is scattered across many centuries. This ancient Indian sage, though somewhat mysterious, made significant contributions to yoga philosophy. He developed a systematic approach to yoga that people still find useful today.
The Mystery of Multiple Patanjalis
Here’s where it gets complicated. Patanjali might not have been one person. Scholars have found several important ancient texts attributed to “Patanjali,” but written at completely different times. One Patanjali wrote about grammar in the 2nd century BCE, another about medicine, and a third compiled the famous Yoga Sutras around 350-450 CE.
It’s like finding three books signed “John Smith” from three different centuries. Same impossibly long-lived person, or just three people with the same name? Most experts believe the Patanjali who gave us the Yoga Sutras was a scholar from central India, likely in present-day Madhya Pradesh.
The Legend Behind the Name
Patanjali’s origin stories read like fantasy. According to legend, he didn’t have an ordinary birth. Instead, he descended from heaven as a tiny snake, falling into the cupped hands of a devoted woman named Anjali. His name reflects this: “pata” means “to fall” and “anjali” means hands held in prayer.
Another version tells of Gonika, a yoga teacher desperately seeking a student to inherit her knowledge. While praying and offering water to the sun, a small serpent appeared in her hands and transformed into a baby boy. These mythical stories reveal how deeply people revered Patanjali’s wisdom—they literally saw him as heaven-sent.
His Claim to Fame
Patanjali created the world’s first yoga manual. Unlike today’s physical yoga classes, his approach was comprehensive. He viewed yoga as a complete system for harmonizing mind, body, and spirit.
His masterwork, the Yoga Sutras, contains 196 concise verses that function like a roadmap. These aren’t flowery poems or lengthy stories—they’re precise instructions where every word matters. The text divides into four sections, each covering different aspects of the yogic journey, from basic concentration to advanced spiritual states.
The Eight-Step Program
Patanjali’s greatest contribution was organizing yoga into eight clear steps, known as the “eight limbs” or Ashtanga Yoga. Think of it as an ancient self-improvement program covering everything from interpersonal ethics to advanced meditation.
The first two steps focus on ethics and personal habits—essentially learning to be good and care for yourself. Steps three and four involve physical postures and breathing exercises, what most people consider “yoga” today. The final four steps guide practitioners through increasingly subtle mental training, culminating in complete inner peace and understanding.
This system’s brilliance lies in its practicality. Patanjali knew you can’t jump into deep meditation without first building a foundation of good character, physical health, and mental discipline.
Patanjali’s influence spread far beyond India. In the 11th century, Persian-Muslim scholar Al-Biruni created an Arabic translation, adapting the ideas for Islamic thought. This demonstrates how universal Patanjali’s insights were—they resonated across cultures and religions.
Remarkably, the Yoga Sutras actually vanished from popular view for about 700 years, only to resurface in the late 1800s. Swami Vivekananda, the charismatic teacher who brought Eastern philosophy West, helped restore Patanjali’s work to prominence.
Why Ancient Wisdom Still Works
Patanjali’s approach aligns remarkably well with modern understanding of mental health and well-being. His emphasis on ethical behavior, physical fitness, breath-based stress management, and meditation-based mental training mirrors what psychologists and doctors recommend today.
The text has been translated into dozens of languages and continues influencing millions of yoga practitioners worldwide. From Silicon Valley executives using breathing techniques for stress management to therapists incorporating mindfulness in treatment, Patanjali’s ancient wisdom keeps finding new applications.
