Sacred Texts of Yoga

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Jay Deva Kumar, M.A. Copyright©2005 Living Your Light™ www.livingyourlight.net

SACRED TEXTS of YOGA : 

SACRED TEXTS of YOGA

A Brief History of Texts relating to Yoga philosophy : 

A Brief History of Texts relating to Yoga philosophy 4000-2000 BCE* - Pre-Vedic Cultures. Language still undeciphered 2000- 1000 BCE - Vedic Period and oral composition of the four main Vedas 1000 BCE - Pre-Classical Yoga- the earliest Brahmanas and Upanishads 500 BCE - Epic Period- works like the Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and later Upanishads are orally composed. 200 CE - Classical Period- Patanjali writes the Yoga Sutra 500 CE- 1900 CE - Post-Classical Yoga- several schools of hatha yoga begin to form and the basic poses get established. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is written around 1400 CE and the Gheranda Samhita around the late 1600s. Certain scholars cite other dates for the beginning of the Vedic Period going as far back as 4,000 BCE and as late as 1,500 BCE. The dates that I provide here are according to my personal research on the matter and are open to debate. Please also note that the Devanagari script was not used to write Sanskrit until around 200 BCE. Prior to this date all the major texts of Indian literature were orally composed, memorized, and transmitted from generation to generation for nearly 2,000 years.

Pre-Vedic period : 

Pre-Vedic period This archeological relic from the Pre-Vedic Harappan period clearly depicts a human in yoga asana sitting on an elevated seat. Unfortunately we do not have a precise translation of this script.

The Vedas : 

The Vedas • The Vedas (a Sanskrit word translating as “wisdom”) are the oldest sacred texts from India, dating back about four millennia. They also provide the first record of yoga philosophy (though it is faint). • There are four main Vedas: Rg, Atharva, S›ma, and Yajur. They are written largely as hymns, invocations and prayers to nature deities. It is believed that the Rishis (ancient Indian mystics) are thought to have orally composed them in the area that is now Kashmir. • The 4 Vedas put together equal 20 times the Bible. All the Vedas were orally composed and were not put into writing until 200BCE. • The Vedas are considered by Hindus to be a direct revelation from God (⁄ruti).

Concepts of the Vedas : 

Concepts of the Vedas Although not as straight-forward as the later sacred texts, the Vedas are rich in metaphor that describe the cosmology of the Universe and of our spiritual existence and connection to Universe. Concepts of meditation and observing nature are ways to achieve unity with Universe. No mention at all of the word “yoga”.

The Upanishads : 

The Upanishads The word upani˝ad for a long time was thought to translate as “to sit down near (the teacher).” Recent academic research suggests, however, that the word means “secret doctrine” or attempting to discover the “hidden connection” of the human realms of existence to the divine planes of Brahman. One can see how this later developed into the science of yoga (“union” of oneself to Higher Consciousness). The oldest Upanishads are the Brihadaranyaka and Candogya, which were orally composed perhaps as early as 800 BCE. There are traditionally said to be anywhere from 52-108 different works that are considered to belong to the Upanishads. Among the several Upanishads that exist in the ancient Indian literature, the ones of most relevance for the student of yoga are the Taittriya, Kena, Katha, Brihadaranyaka, Mundaka, Candogya, and Isa Upanishads. The Upanishads are the philosophical commentaries of the Vedic corpus, and like the Vedas are also considered to be direct revelation from God (⁄ruti). They have many more references to yoga but again mostly in the realm of philosophy.

Concepts of Upanishads : 

Concepts of Upanishads The word “yoga” is first cited. Upanishads are texts that explain the hidden metaphors and hymns of the Vedas Transmigration of the Soul Distinction between Ego and Soul Idea to achieve “union” of Atman with Brahman The four stages of Consciousness The role of prana and conscious breathing The physical world as “maya” - illusion prevents us from seeing the “truth” of our Divine Self.

The Bhagavad Gita : 

The Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita is part of the larger epic work called the Mahabharata, which is the mythical and historical account of the founding of India. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna (the teacher) appears to Arjuna (the student) and teaches him the principles of yoga as a means to end suffering. The story takes place during a great battle, which is a metaphor for the internal battle that Arjuna himself is experiencing, as he is about to engage in battle against his kinsmen. The various sides are believed to represent the deep split in Arjuna’s mind between family, religion, personal will against his moral duty and the universal laws of dharma. There are eighteen chapters in the Bhagavad Gita with Chapters 7 and 14 being the most important with regards to yoga philosophy. The system of philosophy known as Sankhya strongly influenced this work as well as later yoga philosophy. An excellent translation of the Bhagavad Gita is by Winthrop Sergeant.

Concepts of Bhagavad Gita : 

Concepts of Bhagavad Gita The three aspects of Yoga - Karma, Bhakti, and Jnana. Again no mention of the physical practice of yoga. The first line of the Gita - “Dharma kshetre, Kuru kshetre” reveals the essence of the Gita and its real meaning. • “Non-attachment” to outcome.

The Yoga Sutras : 

The Yoga Sutras The Yoga Sutras were put into writing and codified between 200 BCE and 200 CE, although it is possible that they were orally composed at an earlier date. The author (or the editor) of the Yoga Sutras is believed to be Patanjali. The word sutra means thread, as the Yoga Sutras are aphorisms that are “threaded or weaved” together to create the rich tapestry of yoga philosophy. There are 195 sutras (aphorisms) in total, divided into four sections. The eight limbs of yoga (a˝˛›ºga) come from the second chapter of the Yoga Sutras. The four chapters of the Sutras pertain to the following subjects: discussion on consciousness, the actual practice of yoga through the eight limbs, special powers attained by the yogi, and ultimate liberation from the bonds of physical illusion. An excellent translation with commentary of the Yoga Sutras is by Chip Hartranft.

Concepts of Sutras : 

Concepts of Sutras Five general patterns of Consciousness (citta-vrtti) - perception, misperception, conceptualization, deep sleep, and remembering. The second line of the Sutras “yogascitta vrtti nirodhah” “abhyasa” and “vairagya” Yoga as a system of self-awareness of consciousness through mind and body. Allow “citta” (Consciousness) to become so still and fully present in each moment that it takes the form of pure awareness “purusha”.

The Eight Branches : 

The Eight Branches yama – external disciplines. The practice of the five yamas is a way for us better to define our relationship with the Universe. • ahims› – non-harming. “When one is firmly established in the practice of non-violence, it creates a place for others to release their hostility.” • satya – truthfulness. “ For one who is established in Truth, one’s actions and effects embody Truth.” •asteya – non-stealing. “For one who is free from the impulse of stealing, one manifests all precious treasures of the Spirit.” •brahmacarya – sexual moderation or conscious sexuality. “Practicing sexual moderation enables one to experience abundant vitality.” •aparigrah› – non-acquisition. “When one is free from want, it enables one to comprehend the true meaning of life.” 2. niyama – internal disciplines. The practice of the five niyamas is a way for us better to align to the principles of realization of the true Self. •⁄auca – purity. “From physical, mental, and spiritual purification, one becomes disinclined from attachment to one’s own body as well as to others.” •santo˝a – contentment. “Authentic contentment produces unsurpassed happiness.” •tapas – austerity, self-discipline. “The intensity of practicing self-disciplines helps burn impurity from the body, mind, and spirit as the senses become more perfected.” •sv›dhy›ya – self-study. “Examination of the Self brings awareness of one’s Divinity.” •ı⁄vara pra˚idh›na – surrender to the Higher Being. “ Through alignment with our Divine Self, we achieve perfect oneness with the Creator.” 3. ›sana – sitting. “The posture should be firm but graceful.” 4. pr›˚›y›ma – breath control. “Breath regulation occurs when the effort of inhalation and exhalation ceases.” 5. praty›h›ra – withdrawal of senses. “When one’s consciousness detaches from external phenomena, so too do the senses withdraw.” 6. dh›ra˚a – concentration. “Concentration allows one’s consciousness to stay locked in one place.” 7. dhy›na – firmness/meditation. “In meditation, thoughts align with the One.” 8. sam›dhi – reunion with the Higher Self and Creator. “Full integration happens only when one’s true formless Essence remains shining.”

Hatha Yoga Pradipika : 

Hatha Yoga Pradipika Just as the Yoga Sutras codified yoga in a way that gave yoga philosophy more structure, a yogi by the name of Svatmarama codified the physical practice of hatha yoga in his book the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Light on the Forceful Yoga). It was probably composed sometime in the 14th century CE. In this book he begins the journey to what we think of today as hatha yoga. Though not easy to read, and still looking very different than the yoga many of us know today, the Pradipika addresses familiar concepts such as basic forms of breath control (pranayama), basic poses (asana) cleansing techniques (kriya), locks (bandha), hand and body gestures (mudras) and a number of other concepts fundamental to most styles of hatha yoga.

Concepts of the Pradipika : 

Concepts of the Pradipika It should be noted that in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika there is reference to only 84 actual yoga postures. However the text states that there are only four yoga poses that are deemed to be the most important – siddh›sana, padm›sana, simh›sana, and bhadr›sana. Note that these four fundamental poses are all “seated” poses and thus adhere to the true meaning of the Sanskrit word ›sana, (seat). The multitude of asanas we see today were probably created over the centuries after the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Gheranda Samhita : 

Gheranda Samhita Composed in the late 17th century CE, this is a lesser-known collection of 317 verses although regarded by many as the best-known work on hatha yoga. It details nearly 32 actual yoga asanas along with many of the bandhas, cleansing techniques, and mudras commonly practiced in contemporary forms of yoga. Like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika it is not very easy to read.