Gudrun Bühnemann, "Scholar, Serpent, Yogin, and Devotee: The Many Faces of Patañjali in Indian Traditions" (Brill, 2025)

In this episode of New Books in Indian Religions, Dr. Gudrun Bühnemann discusses her new book, 'Scholar, Serpent, Yogin, and Devotee: The Many Faces of Patanjali in Indian Traditions,' published by Brill in 2025. The conversation explores the multifaceted identity of Patanjali across Indian religious traditions—ranging from his role as a Sanskrit grammarian (author of the Mahabhasya), a serpent-like deity (Naga) in South Indian iconography, a yogin and author of the Yoga Sutras, and a devoted follower of Shiva in the Chidambaram tradition. Bühnemann traces how these diverse personas evolved over centuries, from 11th-century inscriptions to modern yoga studios, revealing how the figure of Patanjali has been continuously reinterpreted and merged into a single, syncretic identity. She reflects on the scholarly challenge of reconciling multiple authorial attributions to one figure, arguing that while academically these are likely distinct personalities, the Indian tradition values the spiritual and symbolic unity of Patanjali across domains. The book’s rich visual content—featuring 84 images—highlights the evolution of Patanjali’s iconography, from half-serpent, half-human forms to modern four-armed depictions, and underscores the living, adaptive nature of Indian religious traditions. Bühnemann also expresses hope for a more affordable South Asian paperback edition to increase accessibility, especially in Tamil Nadu where the Chidambaram tradition remains vital. The episode concludes with a broader reflection on the importance of scholarly work that bridges academic rigor and practitioner engagement. Bühnemann emphasizes that understanding the historical and symbolic layers of figures like Patanjali does not diminish tradition but deepens appreciation for its complexity and dynamism. The discussion resonates with the podcast’s mission to make scholarly research accessible and relevant to both academics and spiritual practitioners. Listeners are invited to engage with the book not only as a historical study but as a lens into how religious figures are constructed, transformed, and sustained across time and space. The episode underscores that the 'many faces' of Patanjali are not contradictions but a testament to the organic, evolving nature of Indian religious thought.