The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush, inaugurated a five-day national workshop on Patanjala Yoga Sutra: Vibhuti Pada (In the Light of Vyasa Bhashya) on October 26, 2026. The workshop, scheduled to run until October 30, aims to deepen participants’ understanding of Vibhuti Pada through a structured study of the classical text and its traditional commentary.

Prof. Krishna Kant Sharma, former Professor of Vedic Philosophy at Banaras Hindu University, attended as the subject expert and highlighted the importance of combining traditional knowledge with practical learning. He noted that Maharishi Patanjali’s teachings offer insights into understanding and managing human suffering through Yoga.

MDNIY Director Dr. Jyoti Keswani emphasised the role of the Patanjala Yoga Sutra in promoting personal development, discipline and self-awareness. She also highlighted the philosophical significance of Vibhuti Pada and the need for systematic research to explore its concepts and potential applications.

Md. Taiyab Alam, Communication and Documentation Officer and Deputy Director (In-charge) at MDNIY, stressed that the true value of Yoga lies in applying its teachings to everyday life. He expressed confidence that the workshop would encourage academic discussion and promote awareness of India’s classical Yoga heritage.

Dr. I. N. Acharya, Programme Officer at MDNIY, highlighted the text’s contemporary relevance in understanding and regulating the human mind, particularly amid the growing complexity of modern life and the widespread availability of information.

Vibhuti Pada, the third chapter of the Patanjala Yoga Sutra, explores advanced aspects of Yogic practice, including Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi, collectively known as Samyama. It also discusses Siddhis, or Yogic attainments, and the importance of discernment in understanding their role in spiritual development.

The workshop provides an academic platform to examine these concepts through a detailed study of the Sutras and Vyasa Bhashya, focusing on the philosophical foundations of Yoga and the relevance of classical teachings to higher stages of Yogic discipline and consciousness.

Dr. Indu Sharma, Assistant Professor of Yoga Education at MDNIY, is coordinating the workshop. Through such initiatives, the institute continues to promote the systematic study of classical Yoga texts and preserve India’s philosophical and Yogic heritage.