Historical Trace of Yoga

Historical development of yoga Yoga is an ancient science which was prevalent from the time of the Vedas. An insight to the history of yoga is very much relevant as it reveals the background and roots of yoga and also the path in which the system of yoga evolved up to the present day. Yoga is one among the six darśanās on which our Indian philosophies are based. The other darśanās are Sankhya, nyāya, vaiśesika, pūrvamimāmsa and uttara mimāmsa. Historical evidences of yoga can be dated back up to 4500BC. While unearthing the history of yoga we find that Maharsi Patanjali systematised yoga and also made a proper foundation for its development. He worked extensively in this field and until his time yoga was not considered as a separate branch as it was merged with the Indian tradition. Therefore for the sake of convenience the historical references can be classified under the following heads. Pre Patanjali period – before and after 4500BC Patanjali period – 500BC to 800BC Post Patanjali period – 800BC onwards to the present year Pre Patanjali Period The historical evidences of yoga can be dated back up to 4500B.C. Therefore this Pre Patanjali period can be considered as the period before and after 4500B.C till the time of Patanjali. The various sources in which the references of yoga are found are Vedas, upanisads, smrti, teachings of Buddha and Pānini. Veda: The word yoga has not been mentioned anywhere in Vedas but the word dhira is present in various chapters of the Vedas which means a person who has real knowledge. This suggests that the word yoga in the sense of samādhi was developed after the period of Vedas and not before; but the principles and the essence of yoga are sited in different parts of the Vedas. The nāsadāsiya sūkta mentioned in the Rig-Veda samhita is one of the principles of yoga. We can also see the explanations about soul. The various techniques of concentration methods and meditation techniques are mentioned in the samhitas were regarded as daily routines. References regarding dhyāna are also seen in the āranyaka. There are no definite descriptions about the āsanās and its varieties but the references about few sitting postures have been mentioned. Prānasamrodha is mentioned as the means to attain Samadhi. The Vedas also tell that the tapas, yajna , satya, śraddha are the steps to achieve the ultimate goal. Upanisads: These are considered as the end part of the Vedas hence they are also known as Vedanta. It contains the essence of the Veda. The important Upanisads which contains references of yoga are Taittariya Upanisad - References of the pancakośa theory, manifestations of prakrti and references of prāna and pancamahābhūta are available in this upanisad. Kathopanisad - This gives the reference in which the body is compared to chariot, ātma to the traveler, buddhi to charioteer, manas to the reins and the indriyas to the horses and also tells that a person who can control these are called Manisi. Few meditation techniques, relationships between ātma, indriya, prāna, Brahma has been mentioned. Śvetāśvatara Upanisad - Detailed explanations of āsana, prānāyāma and other astanga yoga are available in this upanisad. Yogopanisad - This text exclusively deals with yoga. It gives explanations about the nature of pranava, evolution of the world, kundalini yoga, astānga yoga, hathayoga practices, and also mentions about the pranava mantra japa to achieve liberatio  Smrti: The smrti deal with the duties prescribed for different varnās and āśramās. Details related to yoga are seen in manusmrti, yājnavalkya smrti, hārita smrti. There are explanations about sanyāsa or detachment. It tells about only five yogāngās namely prānāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhārana, dhyāna and samādhi. The prānāyāma mentioned here is slightly different from the present day practice. A detailed explanation of pranava to attain the ultimate state has also been mentioned. Few āsanas are mentioned as meditative postures but detailed references are not available. Methods of practice of meditation, place good for meditation, seating arrangements are mentioned. Darbhāsana is told as the best posture to meditate. Teachings of Buddha: Similarities are seen between Buddhist principles and yoga. The eight fold principles of Buddha are similar to the eight limbs mentioned in yoga. Principles like śouca, tripitika, satya, ahimsa, vairāgya are few things which have similarities. Meditative techniques are also similar. The ultimate aim of attainment of salvation is the aim of yoga and also Buddhism. Pānini: He was a famous Sanskrit grammarian who wrote a book named astadhyayi. He is considered to be contemporary to Patanjali. One chapter of astādhyāyi deals with the root words and Pānini mentioned two root words for the word yoga; yujir which means union and yuja which means samādhi. The general meaning of yoga is union but the philosophical meaning is Samādhi. This tells us that the knowledge of yoga as Samādhi was known during that period.  Patanjali Period (500BC – 800AD) Patanjali lived between 500BC to 800AD. Patanjali systematized the principles of yoga in a proper channel. His main contribution was Pātanjala Yoga Sūtra, having four chapters or pāda namely Samādhi pāda, sādhana pāda, vibhūti pāda and kaivalya pāda. This book contains totally about 196 ślokās which exclusively deals with various aspects of yoga. The references of yoga are also found in the great epics like the Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata and Purānas which belonged to this period. Epics The major epics of India are the Rāmāyana and Mahābhārata. Elaborate explanations of yoga are found in the famous section of Mahābhārata namely the Bhagavadgita. The detailed explanations regarding the different schools of yoga like the karmayoga, rājayoga, bhaktiyoga, jnanayoga, dhyānayoga and sānkhyāyoga. Purāna References about yoga are also found in different purānas. Kūrmapurāna tells about the abhāvayoga while in Lingapurāna we find references related to mantrayoga, sparśayoga and kāśi yoga. Garuda purāna gives details about the methods to achieve moksa. Post Patanjali Period Yoga developed gradually after the period of Patanjali. This period can be considered as time after 800 B.C up to the present day. Different schools of thought developed during this time but the aim of all these schools ultimately remains same. Śankarācārya (A.D. 788 – 820) He wrote commentaries on Bhagavad-Gita, upanisads and Brahmasūtra. His famous contributions to the field of yoga are Yoga tārāvali which is related to hatha yoga, Soundarya Lahari which explains about the kundalini śakti and also a commentary on yogasūtra of Patanjali. Rāmānujācārya (A.D 1017 – 1137) He was the founder of viśistādvaita and has also written commentaries on the Prasthānatraya. He wrote a book named Tantra Sāra which explains about the tantra yoga and kundalini yoga. Madhvācārya (A.D 1239 – 1319) He was the founder of the dvaita Vedanta and also a jnanayogi. No specific books are available at present written by him on yoga. Bhaktiyoga culture: The bhakti yoga developed after the 12th century. The nāradiya bhakti sūtra tells about various means to achieve the state of bhaktiyoga. The followers of this bhakti yoga were called dāsapantha. The famous personalities of this period are Sūrdās, Candidās who lived during the 14th century A.D. Purandaradāsa, Kanakadāsa, Kabirdās of the 15th century A.D. Tulsidās, Meerabai who lived during the 16th century A.D. Hatha yoga culture: The hathayoga developed mostly during the period of 14th century. Ādhinatha was considered to be the founder of this culture. The sect of the people who followed this hathayoga was known as nāthapantha. This hatha yoga deals with the special yogic practices for the purification of body and mind. Various hatha yogis and their contributions to yoga are as follows. Goraksanātha (9 or 10th century A.D) : Goraksaśataka. Cauranginatha : Caurangiśataka. Svātmārāma (14th century A.D) : Hathayogapradipika. Srinivāsa Bhatta (17th century A.D) : Hatharatnāvali. Gheranda (18th century A.D) : Gherandasamhita Brahmānanda (18th century A.D) : Jyotsna, a commentary on Hathayogapradipika. Śiva : Śiva samhita. Period of Rājayoga The rājayoga mainly developed during the period of 16th century. The famous personalities who developed rājayoga are as follows. Sadāśiva Brahmendra Sarasvathi of 16th century wrote śivayogadipika which deals with different aspects of yoga. Appayya Deeksita who wrote Pancadaśanga yoga tells us about the 15 aspects of yoga. Rāmakrishna Paramahamsa (1836- 1886AD) of Kolkotta. Swami Vivekānanda (12.1.1863 – 4.7.1902) has authored many books related to vedānta and yoga. Swāmi Aravindo of Pondicherry (15.8.1872 – 5.12.1950) was the founder of Integral Yoga in Pondicherry. Ramanamaharsi (30.12.1879 – 4.4.1950) of Thiru- unnamalai Swami Kuvalayānanda (1883 – 1966) founder of Kaivalyadhāma Institutions Lonavala. Swami Shivananda Sarasvati (1887 – 1965) founder of Devine Life Society, Hrishikesh. He has authored various books on yoga. Swami Satyānanda Sarasvati (1923) founder of Bihar School of yoga.