Was the Author of the Yoga Sūtras a Vaishnava?

Abstract

The article "Was the Author of the Yoga Sūtras a Vaishnava?" by Edwin F. Bryant explores the theistic undertones of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, specifically the role of Īśvara-praṇidhāna (devotion to the Lord) within the yogic path. Bryant analyzes the references to Īśvara as a special puruṣa untouched by karma and time, and considers how traditional commentaries interpret this deity as either Viṣṇu or Śiva. The article argues that, while Patañjali remains non-sectarian, the structure and emphasis in the Yoga Sūtras imply a strong devotional framework, possibly Vaishnava in nature. By tracking how later commentators shaped and clarified Patañjali’s brief but potent references to God, Bryant reframes the Yoga tradition as not only philosophically rigorous but also embedded in rich theological currents.