International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)

E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: [email protected]

The History and Origin of Yoga System

Dr. S.G. Praveen Kumar1, Dr. Ashok Kumar2
1
Assistant Professor of Physical education, KRC, College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, India
2
Assistant Professor of Physical education, College of Horticulture, UHS Campus, Bengaluru, India

Abstract: Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control,
simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and
relaxation. The word Yoga first appeared in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda and is derived from the
Sanskrit root ―Yuj‖ which means join or unite. According to the Yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga
leads an individual to the union of consciousness with that of universal Consciousness. It eventually
leads to a great harmony between the human mind and body, man & nature.

Keywords: Rigveda, Upanishads, Smrti, Epics, Patanjali, Hathyoga.

Introduction
Yoga, most people believe, is just asanas and pranayamas that are meant to keep a person in good health.
But there‘s more to this ancient art and science that seeks to harmonize body, mind, and spirit. The word
`Yoga‘ is derived from the Sanskrit word `yuj‘, meaning `to join‘ or `to unite‘. It is meant to help the
individual overcome suffering and help him/her evolve spiritually to the `state of liberation‘. One of the
oldest sciences in the world, Yoga originated in India. According to mythology, Lord Shiva was the first
one to impart the knowledge of yoga. Yoga, dating back to 2700 BC, is an offering of the Indus valley
civilization that seeks to promote both the material and spiritual well-being of humanity. Basic human
values are at the heart of Yoga.

The earliest mention of `yoga‘ is in the Rig Veda. The Atharva veda mentions `breath control‘, but it is
not possible to pin down exact dates because the Vedas were passed down orally. But much before
this—2700BC—several seals depicting Yoga asanas were found in the Indus-Saraswati civilization. The
main sources that provide information about Yoga and associated literature are available in the Vedas,
Upanishads, Smritis, teacheings of Buddha, Panini, the epics, the Puranas, etc.

500 BC to 800 AD is considered the classical period and also the richest period in the growth of Yoga.
The commentary by Vyasa on Yoga Sutras was written during this period, and two great religious
teachers—Mahavira and Buddha—made their appearance during this time. The eight-fold path by
Buddha can be considered as the precursor of Yoga Sadhana. More elaborate explanations can be found
in the Bhagwad Gita which presents, in greater detail, the concept of Gyan Yoga, Bhakti yoga, and
Karma yoga. They are timeless and are relevant even today. Patanjali‘s Yoga Sutras, besides focusing on
various aspects of yoga, is identified with the eight-fold path of yoga. During this period, the focus was
on the mind; Yoga seeks to bring both body and mind under control to experience equanimity.

The Post-classical period stretches from 800 A.D. – 1700 A.D. During this period, Adi Shankaracharya,
Ramanujacharya were the more prominent contributors, and the teachings of Suradasa, Mirabai,

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 International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: [email protected]

Tulsidas also gained prominence. Matsyendranath, Gorkshanatha, Suri, Gheranda, Shrinivasa Bhatt were
responsible for spreading Hatha yoga during this period.

Later, in the mid-nineteenth century, Swami Vivekananda took Yoga to the West. Raja Yoga was
developed by Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, K Pattabhi Jois, Paramahansa Yogananda.
Shri Yogendraji made a vital contribution to the field of yoga by demystifying it and making it available
to the householder; this way yoga became accessible to millions, many of whom had believed till then
that yoga was only for mystics and recluses. Briefly, this has been the long journey that Yoga has taken
into the 21st century. Yes, it has changed and grown over the years, but its essence remains the same,
which is becoming self-realized.

A union of the mind and body (calm mind = calm body). Yoga is the art and science intimately linked to
the coming together of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. The term Yoga
has its roots in the Sanskrit word ‗Yuj‘, which stands for a union. This union of the mind and body
presents a human being‘s relationship with nature. In our busy lives, our connection with other beings
and consequently with nature is lost. By taking a minute and simply breathing the right way, we can
understand and reconnect with nature and the universal consciousness. The controlled yogic breathing
called Pranayama, stimulates life energies.

Yoga brings an individual closer to nature and to their own higher natural state (think when you
are/imagine yourself trekking in the mountains or swimming in the ocean). It attunes one to become one
with all. Many yoga poses are named after nature and animals like the cat pose, the snake pose, the eagle
pose, the lion pose and the mountain pose, which help us connect through movement, breath, and
meditation.
Those who have experienced the joys of yoga, talk about the importance of the mind to the yoga path.
Can our mind, which is always muddled with worldly distractions, ever achieve the detachment that
yoga requires? Well, Yoga isn’t limited to just that. It has benefits that go beyond the constraints of
flexibility. It aids in strengthening physical and mental health, alike. This beautiful art has evolved over
numerous centuries. It is a spiritual discipline that aims to achieve eternal peace and harmony
between body and mind and soul. It aims at cleansing our mind of the mental pollutants along with
making our body physically fit.
Yoga — A Cultural Blessing
‗Yoga‘ has its roots from the Sanskrit word ‗yuj‘ which means to join or unite. The very origin of the
word speaks volumes. It aims to connect your mind and body and to help them work together in peace
and as one. It works on leading to the union of your consciousness to the universal consciousness. The
person who experiences this unity and bond between nature and himself is said to have attained moksha
(ultimate liberation). Yoga aims to achieve self-actualization and peace, even when faced with the most
difficult tasks. That is when you truly achieve kaivalya (freedom). It imparts basic human values and
pushes human beings towards a sustainable lifestyle filled with joy, peace and gratitude.

Yoga through the Ages

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There is Yogic lore that says Yoga has been as old as the dawn of civilization. In this lore, Lord Shiva is
said to be the first yogi or Adiyogi. Passed down through generations, these story talks of a time when
Lord Shiva imparted and taught Yoga to seven of his disciples. These seven disciples went in different
directions to spread the knowledge of Yoga far and wide. Their knowledge reached areas like Asia, the
Middle East, Northern Africa and South America. However, there is no proper evidence of when this
discipline started. It is believed that it originated in Northern India, approximately 5000 years ago.

1. Pre-Vedic Period
Dating back to 2700 BC, in the Indus-Saraswati valley civilization, seals and fossils have been found
with people doing Yoga Sadhana. This hinted at the practice of Yoga starting at such early times,
although it was an undocumented period.

2. Vedic Period
The word ‗Yoga‘ was first mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit texts of Rig Veda which dates back to 1500
BC. This old text mainly spoke of rituals, mantras and songs that the Vedic priests used in their life.

Later, in the Atharva Veda (around 900 BC), the importance of controlling breath was stressed upon.
However, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact era as the Vedas were originally passed down through
stories and by word-of-mouth. Vedic priests avoided self-indulgences and performed sacrifices called
yajnas. They used poses that researchers believed have now evolved into modern Yoga postures.

3. Pre-Classical Period
This 2,000 year period in the history of Yoga is predominated by the Upanishads. They explain the
meanings of Vedic literature, reading between the lines and explaining how the body and mind works.
Moreover, it talks of spiritual teachings.

Out of the 108 written documents, 20 of them were Yoga Upanishads. They focus on different yogic
techniques that are still used, like pranayama (breathing exercises), pratyahara (withdrawing senses),
breathing modulation, sound and meditation in complete peace. At this time period, Yoga was divided
into two forms - karma Yoga and jnana Yoga.

4. Classical Period
The classical period of Yoga lasted from 500 BC TO 800 AD. The importance of a peaceful mind, as a
consequence of Yoga, was put into the limelight during this period. It was in this period that Yoga
seeped its way into Buddhism and Jainism. Lord Buddha was known to be the first Buddhist to study
Yoga. Buddhist literature laid emphasis on meditation and yogic poses that helped attain enlightenment.
Jainism imbibed Yoga, too, with the help of Lord Mahavira. He stressed on the importance of meditation
to attain salvation and moksha.

The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse compilation of conversation between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna,
explains the importance of dharma, jnana Yoga, karma Yoga and bhakti Yoga. In this renowned text,

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 International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
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Lord Krishna says, ―Samatvam Yoga uchyate‖, i.e. Yoga is a balanced state. Yoga strives for oneness
between man and nature. It takes us back to our joyous state.

Maharshi Patanjali, the Father of Yoga, was the first yogi to truly understand and explain the meaning of
Yoga and the true purpose behind it, in his Yoga Sutras. This was called Raja Yoga.

The first commentary on the Yoga Sutras by Veda Vyasa was written in the classical period. The deep-
rooted relationship between the philosophy of Yoga and Samkhya philosophy (one of the six Indian
philosophies) was unearthed and talked about.

Nata dances and martial arts used the techniques written in the Yoga Sutras, to help accentuate their
dance and martial forms, respectively. The classical period focused on the importance of mindfulness in
yoga. Yoga seemed to flourish in this period.

5. Post-Classical Period
The post-classical period ran up to 1700 AD. It brought forward names of numerous Yoga teachers who
worked towards the development of this beautiful, cultural art form. Some of the yogis include Acharya
Trayas-Adi Shankaracharya, Madhvacharya, Ramanujacharya, Meera Bai and Purandara Dasa.

Adi Shankaracharya devoted his time to the continuation of jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga. He dedicated a
large part of his life to developments and tweaks in the yogic cultures. Meditation was also stressed upon
to clear the mind of negative thoughts.
Other yogis like Tulsidas and Purandara Dasa worked on the science of Yoga. The Yoga of physical
postures and breathing techniques or Hatha Yoga was popularized and is still widely renowned today.

6. Modern Period
Swami Vivekananda was one of the primary yogis to spread Yoga in the modern period, that is from
1700 AD uptil now. The period focused on Yoga as a manner of being physically strong.

Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, BKS Iyengar, K Pattabhi Jois, Paramhansa Yogananda,
and Vivekananda held parts in the spread and popularity of Hatha Yoga, Vedanta Yoga and Bhakti
Yoga.
Yoga has undergone a wide number of changes over the centuries. Over this span of time, many people
have been propounding numerous theories for the spread of its culture. But even as it walks into the 21st
century, the essence and soul of Yoga lies with the feeling of oneness with the spirit, mind, body and
nature.

Conclusion
Yoga works on the level of one‘s body, mind, emotion and energy. This has given rise to four broad
classifications of Yoga: karma yoga, where we utilize the body; bhakti yoga, where we utilize the
emotions; gyana yoga, where we utilize the mind and intelect; and kriya yoga, where we utilize the
energy. Each system of Yoga we practice would fall within the gamut of one or more of these categories.
Every individual is a unique combination of these four factors. "All the ancient commentaries on Yoga
have stressed that it is essential to work under the direction of a Guru.‖ The reason being that only a

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 International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
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Guru can mix the appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths, as is necessary for each seeker.
Yoga Education: Tradiitionally, Yoga Education was impacted by knowledgeable, experienced, and
wise persons in the families (comparable with the education imparted in convents in the west) and then
by the Seers (Rishis/Munis/Acharyas) in Ashramas (compared with monastries). Yoga Education, on the
other hand, aims at taking care of the individual, the 'Being'. It is presumed that a good, balanced,
integrated, truthful, clean, transparent person will be more useful to oneself, family, society, nation,
nature and humanity at large. Yoga education is 'Being oriented'. Details of working with 'being
oriented' aspect have been outlined in various living traditions and texts and the method contributing to
this important field is known as 'Yoga'.

References

1. Radhakrishnan S, Moore CA, A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy, 1967.

2. Dasgupta, Surendranath A History of Indian Philosophy. 1. Delhi, India: 1975; 226.
3. Dass, Baba Hari the Yoga Sytras of Patanjali, A Study Guide for Book I, Samadhi Pada; Translation
and Commentary. Santa Cruz, Californnia: Sri Rama Publishing. 1999.
4. Aranya, Swami Hariharananda, Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali with Bhasvati. Calcutta, India:
University of Calcutta. 2000.
5. Stephen Phillips Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy. Columbia University
Press. 2009, 28-29.
6. Patrick Olivelle the Early Upanishads: Annotated Text and Translation. Oxford University Press.
1998.
7. Satish Chandra Historiography, Religion, and State in Medieval India, Archived from the original on
4 February 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2012, 135–136.
8. Satish Chandra Historiography, Religion, and State in Medieval India. 2007; 135-136.
9. Matilal BK, "Perception. An Essay on Classical Indian Theories of Knowledge", Oxford University
Press, 1986.

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