196 Ways to Enlightenment 196 Aphorisms of Patanjali can show you the way to enlightenment. Here begins yoga literature (in written tradition.) Yoga system was invented by Adhiyogi, Adhibagavan or Adhisiva or simply Siva. He taught yoga system in the form of yoga songs or verses in Tamil to four students. From generation to generation these songs were passed on. There lived one more Siva, two thousand years ago, who taught eight students. Among them was Thirumoolar, who wrote them in Tamil. His class mate was Patanjali who chose 196 from them and wrote them in Sanskrit. This is the beginning of the new written tradition.