YOGA

Yoga (Sanskrit, Pli:

yga) is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating inancient India,[1][2] whose goal is
[3]

the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. in Hinduism, Buddhism andJainism.
[4][5][6]

The word is associated with meditative practices

Within Hindu philosophy, the word yoga is used to refer to one of the six orthodox (stika) schools of Hindu philosophy.;
[7][8]

Yoga in this sense is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is also known as Rja Yoga to
[9]

distinguish it from later schools.

Patanjali's system is discussed and elaborated upon in many classical Hindu texts, and

has also been influential in Buddhism and Jainism. TheBhagavadgita introduces distinctions such as Jnana Yoga ("yoga based on knowledge") vs. Karma Yoga

PATANJALI
Patajali (Sanskrit: , IPA: [p li]; fl. 150 BCE or 2nd c. BCE
[1] [2][3]

) is the compiler of the Yoga Stras, an

important collection of aphorisms on Yoga practice. According to tradition, the same Patajali was also the author of the Mahbhya, a commentary onKtyyana's vrttikas (short comments) on Pini's Adhyy as well as an unspecified work of medicine (yurveda). In recent decades the Yoga Sutra has become quite popular worldwide for the precepts regarding practice of Raja Yoga and its philosophical basis. "Yoga" in traditionalHinduism involves inner contemplation, a system of meditation practice and ethics. Whether the two works, the Yoga Sutras and the Mahbhya, are by the same author has been the subject of considerable debate. The authorship of the two is first attributed to the same person in Bhojadeva's Rajamartanda, a [4] relatively late (10th c.) commentary on the Yoga Sutras, as well as several subsequent texts. As for the texts themselves, the Yoga Sutra iii.44 cites a sutra as that from Patanjali by name, but this line itself is not from the Mahbhya. This 10th century legend of single-authorship is doubtful. The literary styles and contents of the Yogastras and the Mahbhya are entirely different, and the only work on medicine attributed to Patajali is lost. Sources of doubt include the lack of cross-references between the texts, and no mutual awareness of each other, unlike other cases of multiple works by (later) Sanskrit authors. Also, some elements in the Yoga Sutras may date from as late as the 4th c. [3] CE, but such changes may be due to divergent authorship, or due to later additions which are not atypical in the oral tradition. Most scholars refer to both works as "by Patanjali", without meaning that they are by the same author.

YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a Hindu scripture and foundational text of Yoga. It forms part of thecorpus of Sutra literature dating to India's Mauryan period. In Hindu philosophy, Yoga (also Raja Yoga to distinguish it from later schools) [1][2] is the name of one of the six orthodox philosophical schools. Though brief, the Yoga Sutras are an enormously [note 1] influential work on yoga philosophy and practice.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Pada (Chapter)

English meaning

Sutras

Samadhi Pada

On being absorbed in spirit

51

Sadhana Pada

On being immersed in spirit

55

Vibhuti Pada

On supernatural abilities and gifts

56

Kaivalya Pada

On absolute freedom

34

Part of a series on
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Philosophical roots and influences

The Yoga Sutras are built on a foundation of Samkhya philosophy and are generally seen as the practice while Samkhya is the theory. It is clear that the Yoga philosophy has its origins in the Shramanaphilosophies of ancient India dating back to the Indus Valley days which emphasized individual effort in liberating oneself from worldly concerns. Many schools originated over the centuries that had common philosophical and mystical roots derived from the early Indus Valley period. Samkhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Jainism and Buddhism can all be seen as having a common origin in the Shramana traditions because of which they share common ideals and methodologies for individual liberation. These are in contrast to the Bhakti traditions and Vedic ritualism which were also prevalent in Ancient India.

USAGE
Although Patanjali's work does not cover the many types of Yogic practices that have become prevalent, its succinct form and availability caused it to be pressed into service by a variety of schools of Yogic thought.
[17]

The Sutras, with commentaries, have been published by a number of successful teachers of Yoga, as well as by academicians seeking to clarify issues of textual variation. There are also other versions from a variety of sources available on the Internet. The many versions display a wide variation, particularly in translation. The text has not been submitted in its entirety to any rigorous textual analysis, and the contextual meaning of many of the Sanskrit words and phrases remains a matter of some dispute.
[18]

DIFFERENT STAGES OF YOGA

Yama refers to the five abstentions. These are the same as the five vows of Jainism.

Ahimsa: non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, it goes as far as nonviolence in thought, word and deed.

Satya: truth in word and thought. Asteya: non-covetousness, to the extent that one should not even desire something that is his own. Brahmacharya: abstain from sexual intercourse; celibacy in case of unmarried people and monogamy in case of married people. Even this to the extent that one should not possess any sexual thoughts towards any other man or woman except one's own spouse. It is common to associate Brahmacharya with celibacy.

Aparigraha: non-possessiveness

Niyama refers to the five observances

Shaucha: cleanliness of body and mind.

Santosha: satisfaction; satisfied with what one has. Tapas: austerity and associated observances for body discipline and thereby mental control. Svadhyaya: study of the Vedic scriptures to know about God and the soul, which leads to introspection on a greater awakening to the soul and God within,

Ishvarapranidhana: surrender to (or worship of) God.

Asana: Discipline of the body: rules and postures to keep it disease-free and for preserving vital energy. Correct postures are a physical aid to meditation, for they control the limbs and nervous system and prevent them from producing disturbances.

Pranayama: control of breath. Beneficial to health, steadies the body and is highly conducive to the concentration of the mind. Pratyahara: withdrawal of senses from their external objects.

Patanjali Samadhi
The Jeeva Samadhi of Patanjali Maharishi is believed to be in Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Temple (30 km from Trichy), where Lord Brahma installed 12 Shiva Lingams and worshipped Lord Shiva to get back his Tejas.[citation needed]