Notes Unit

The Bhagavad Gita defines yoga as follows:
Samatvam yoga ucyate (2.48)
The statement says that equanimity is yoga. This indicates that yoga enables a state of
both physical homeostasis and mental equanimity. Yoga is a state of harmony where the
body’s physiological functions are maintained and the mind remains in moderation, not
overly reacting to either aversion or desire.
The Bhagavad Gita also enumerates mental health in great detail. A mentally sound and
healthy individual is referred to as a sthitaprajna, which means a man of steady wisdom.
The qualities of a sthitaprajna are elaborated in depth throughout the second chapter
called as the Sankhya yoga. They include tranquility, situational stability, emotional stability,
free from desires, complete self-control and oneness with brahman or knowledge of the
ultimate.
The sole teaching of Bhagvad Gita is to live happiely (i.e moksha)
A. Mental:- for happy living , controlling mind, not allowing negative thoughts into mind is
the foremost thing. This make human being stress free. Stress is a mojor cause of illness.
Meditation is the best mean of keeping stress away.
B. Physical :- keeping body fit is mantra of happiness . there are many factor which
contribute for health/ ill health .
Bhagwad gita highlight 3 parameters:-
1. Eating
2. Sleeping
3. Work
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOGA
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, this 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.
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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, 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.

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The Bhagavad Gita defines yoga as follows:

Samatvam yoga ucyate (2.48)

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOGA

However, there is no proper evidence of when this discipline started. It is believed

The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse compilation of conversation between Lord Krishna

Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, BKS Iyengar, K Pattabhi Jois,

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