A Yogic Reading of Lootera: Tracing Patanjali’s Philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga in the Cinematic Retelling of The Last Leaf

Abstract

Yoga is a philosophy embedded in the storytelling traditions of Indian culture, where the yogic state is not merely physical discipline but a metaphysical union of energies. It is rooted in the figure of Shiva, a symbol of stillness and awareness in Hindu traditions. Yoga as a practice is incomplete without the awakening of Shakti, the dynamic feminine force. This balance is echoed in devotional literature dedicated to feminine energy, which highlights that spiritual realization is unattainable without the presence of Shakti. As expressed in the Durga Chalisa "जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी । योग न हो बिन शक्ति तुम्हारी॥" (Great yogis, gods, and sages all proclaim that Yoga, spiritual union is not possible without the Goddess’s energy.) This verse reinforces the philosophical ideas of Yoga, particularly the unity of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (energy), which has long been a part of Indian storytelling traditions and continues to resonate in modern narratives such as cinema, as reflected in the cross-cultural adaptation of O’Henry’s The Last Leaf into the Indian film Lootera (2013). Lootera integrates the philosophical lens of Yoga, which emphasizes Darshana (perception of truth), Dharma (righteous living), and Moksha (liberation), to present a narrative of spiritual transformation and self-realization. The paper reimagines the narrative through Patanjali’s philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga, exploring how the eightfold path manifests subtly within the film’s emotional and spiritual arc. The protagonists’ evolving relationship becomes a metaphor for the Yogic journey, where love serves as a transformative force, guiding both characters toward inner awakening, self-realization, and liberation, leading to freedom that comes from dissolving the difference between masculine and feminine and becoming one. Drawing from Sri Aurobindo’s concept of the psychic being, Lootera reinterprets universal themes of hope, suffering, and compassion as part of an inward journey toward higher consciousness, resonating with S. Radhakrishnan’s understanding of Indian philosophy as a spiritual culture rooted in the unity of existence.