lōkāḥ samastāḥ sukhinōbhavantu
Let all the people in the world be happy
Introduction
The physical, mental and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India's Sanatana culture (modern day Hinduism). Sanskrit word Yoga is derived from its Sanskrit root Yuj meaning 'to attach, join'. The spiritual meaning here falls in line with the word because in Hindu culture, it is believed that all our souls are a fragment of one Supreme God soul. The goal of each human is to merge back to the God. Yoga is believed to be one of the paths to achieve this spiritual goal. Since Buddhism and Jainism is also rooted with the Sanatana dharma there are broad varieties of yoga teachings/practices too.
History
Vedas are the oldest text/scripture in the world. There are mainly 4 different Vedas - Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda; each further have sub-divisions in them. These Vedas cover variety of knowledge ranging from philosophy, health, rituals etc. In early Indian civilization the knowledge were orally transmitted, hence the treasure of knowledge we found in Vedas is not just as old as the ageing of the manuscript we found, rather it was practiced for thousands of year before the knowledge was compiled in to these 4 Vedas.
Yoga is a Vedic (or pre-Vedic) traditions around 3000 BCE. Yoga is mentioned in Rigveda, the oldest scripture of the world. It is believed to developed as a systematic study around 5th and 6th centuries BCE in ancient India. Sometime around 2nd century BCE, a sage named Patanjali in India synthesized and organized knowledge about yoga from much older traditions where the knowledge is transferred from Guru to Shishya(disciple) orally. This collection of 195–196 Sanskrit Sutras(aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga is called 'Yoga Sutra of Patanjali'. This was then introduced to west around 20th Century by Swami Vivekananda and other great Yogis.
The 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali' is majorly referred as a source of yoga knowledge, whose original name is Pātañjalayogaśāstra-sāṃkhya-pravacana. As the name indicates that this compilation had the sutras as well as commentary on each sutra. The traditional Hindu depiction of Patanjali is as an avatar of divine serpent Shesha. (people may have decided to compare him to Shesha-the snake by watching him bend his body with help of yoga asanas(postures)).
Yoga in Indian tradition however is more than just physical exercise, it has a meditative and spiritual core and is chosen as a path to self-realization and to achieve higher consciousness. Outside India, yoga is considered majorly as posture based physical exercise, stress relief and relaxation technique. This trend is starting to change now, as we are noticing more and more people from are realizing the true meaning of Yoga and dedicating their life in pursuit of true self. Someone who practices yoga and follows the yoga philosophy with a high level of commitment is called a yogi (may be applied to a man or a woman) or yogini(a woman).
Yoga sutra of Patanjali has 4 main Padas(chapters), the meaning of the names of each chapter indicates the steps to the enlightenment.
- Samadhi Pada - meaning: 'On being absorbed in spirit'. This chapter has 51 Sutras.
- Sadhana Pada - meaning: 'On being immersed in spirit'. This chapter has 55 Sutras.
- Vibhuti Pada - meaning: 'On supernatural abilities and gifts. This chapter has 56 Sutras.
- Kaivalya Pada - meaning: 'On absolute freedom'. This chapter has 34 Sutras (rule or Aphorism).
Philosophy
"If the meaning of yoga is understood as the practice of nirodha (mental control), then its goal is the state of niruddha (the perfection of that process)" - Baba Hari Dass
In that context, yoga (union) implies duality (as in joining of two things or principles); the result of yoga is the nondual state, and as the union of the lower self and higher Self. The nondual state is characterized by the absence of individuality; it can be described as eternal peace, pure love, Self-realization, or liberation.
Patanjali define Ashantanga (Eight-Limbed) process in Yoga Sutras.
1. Yama
The ethical disciplines. To follow 5 ethical disciplines.
- Ahimsa - Non-violence, non-harming any other living beings.
- Satya - Truthfulness, non-falsehood.
- Asteya - avoidance of stealing.
- Brahmacharya - celibacy, fidelity to one's partner
- Aparigraha - non-possessiveness, to avoid obsession of over accumulating the material obsessions.
2. Niyama
The disciplined practices. To follow below 5 practices.
- Shaucham - Physical and mental cleanliness.
- Santosha - Contentment
- Tapas - Perseverance, persistent meditation
- Svadhaya - Study of self, Introspection
- Ishvara-Pranidhana - contemplation of god. Dedicating oneself to god the truth.
3. Asana
Literal meaning is posture.
Involves adopting of different physical yoga postures as a part of exercise and in day to day activity.
4. Pranayama
Breathing exercises.
You might already be aware of the popularly recommended Wim Hoff breathing exercises. This is inspired from the yogic breathing exercises mentioned in Pranayama.
5. Pratyahara
Abstraction.
Withdrawal of sense organs from external objects.
6. Dharana
Concentration.
Cultivating inner awareness.
7. Dhyana
Meditation.
Meditation on the divine.
8. Samadhi
Liberation.
Merging with the truth/divine.
End.
Yoga, the ancient practice which was passed orally from one to another for centuries until some yogis decided to compile the practices in writing for the wellness of future generations. Even though in todays culture, term 'yoga' is being mainly associated with the physical exercise, the core-essence of yoga is the list of practices and disciplines to help the individuals realize the truth. The one ultimate TRUTH.
"एकं सत् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति"
"ekam sat viprā bahudhā vadanti" - Rigveda
"Truth is One, but sages call it by many names".
About the Creator
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