Patanjali Rishi: The Rise 

Maharishi Patanjali, the founder of Yoga Darshan.Among the most popular tales is the one tied to his very name. It is said that one day, while offering arghya (sacred water) to the Sun at dawn, Patanjali’s father witnessed a divine miracle — a celestial child descended into his anjali (cupped hands). Thus, the name Patanjali was born — "the one who fell into folded hands."

योगेन  चित्तस्य  पदेन  वचनं  मलं  शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन।
योऽपाकरोत्तं  प्रवरं  मुनिनां   पतंजलिं  प्रांजलिरानतोऽस्मि॥

Another widely cherished legend tells of the devoted yogini Sage Gonika. As her final prayer, she beseeched Surya Dev (the Sun God) for a worthy son to pass on her wisdom. With her hands raised in devotion, she offered water to the rising Sun — and at that very moment, a tiny serpent, glowing with divine energy, appeared in her palms and transformed into a radiant infant. This child, none other than Adishesha — the cosmic serpent who named him Patanjali and accepted as him as her son. According to a different legend, Patanjali is one of Maa Anusuya’s three sons. Other names for him include Gonikaputra, Sheshnag, and Nagnath.

 The Eight-Limbed Yoga, or Ashtanga Yoga (अष्टांंग योग), is one of Maharishi Patanjali’s most important contributions to his book Yoga Sutras. The eight interconnected limbs or stages of this yoga system are the basis for Maharishi Patanjali’s practical guide to achieving spiritual enlightenment and self-realization.