Patanjala

Pananjali Ashtanga

Like Pythagoras, Patanjali is likley to be a name associated with the codification of a body of knowledge from a prior mystical oral tradition.

In the Hindu tradition Patanjali is regarded as an avatar of Ananta the thousand headed ruler of the serpent race who came to earth to spread knowledge of yoga.

It is interesting to note the serpent associations.

The gorgon Medusa, also with snakes on the head was said to turn those who saw her directly to stone. This could be an analogy for the previous fluidity of an oral tradition being lost when written.
In Genisis it is the serpent who brings the devine knowledge of good and evil to mankind.
The Caduceus two intertwined snakes is common to many traditions and associated with healing and esoteric powers.

Some discussion of the sutras may be found at hrih.hypermart.net. Georg Feuerstein a noted scholar in the field of Indian philosophy has something to say about Patanjali also.

There are many english translations of the yoga sutras, quite a few of which exist online. Here are links to The Theosophical Society's and http://reluctant-messenger.com .