Patanjali
Topic: Post-Mauryan India: Shungas to Kushanas · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 6 "The Age of Reorganisation"
Meaning
Patanjali was a scholar of the Shunga period, around the 2nd century BCE. In this period Sanskrit became a favourite language for philosophy and literature. Tradition gives Patanjali credit for two famous works. One is the Yoga Sutras, short sayings on yoga and the control of the mind. The other is the Mahabhashya, a "great commentary" that explains Panini's Sanskrit grammar.
Example
The NCERT chapter states that Patanjali put together the Yoga Sutras in the Shunga period. The Mahabhashya is also an important source for historians, because it mentions events of the 2nd century BCE.
Don't confuse with
- Panini: the earlier grammarian who wrote the Ashtadhyayi. Patanjali wrote a commentary on Panini's grammar.