Origin and definition of Yoga
Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the root yuj which means to yoke or to join. Originating in India, references to yoga both in Vedas and Upanishads and other ancient texts, are found as back as almost 5000 years. In the Yogic lore, Shiva is seen as the first yogi and guru or Adiyogi and Adiguru.
Yoga is often defined as the union of jeevatma (individual self) and paramatma (universal self). In Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the term yoga is derived from root yuj samādhau – a meditative absorption. Hence, yoga is a continuous sadhana (discipline) to attain that union or spiritual perfection through control of body, senses & the mind (Chitta).
In Yoga Sutras, Patanjali refers to yoga as Yogcittavrittinirodhah. In Yoga Sutra verse 2.18, the mind is referred to as Prakāsha-Kriyā-Sthitisheela – the states of Trigunās respectively called brightness, action, static. The chitta is a source of upādāna Kārana – the cause for the trigunas called sattvaguna, tamoguna and rajoguna. Sattva has brightness, rajas means action & tamas is motionless.
Citta has five states- kshipta (disturbed), mudha (dull), vikshipta (distracted), ekagra (one-pointed), nirodhah (mastered) Yog begins in the concentrated state of citta. All the thoughts that arise in citta are classified into five categories by Maharshi Patanjali – pramāna (right knowledge), viparyaya (indiscrimination), vikalpa (verbal delusion), nidrā (sleep), smruti (memory). The state of yog is achieved by impeding these thoughts. In Yog samadhih the bondage of karma subsides & when they are impeded, the practitioner achieves a mental state called niruddha.
Yoga is also mentioned & explained in ancient text of Bhagavad Gita:
yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga uchyate
Chapter 2 : Sānkhya Yog – Verse 48
Meaning: “O Dhananjaya, Perform action being steadfast in Yoga abandoning attachment and remaining equanimous in success & failure. Yoga is equanimity of mind.”
buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛita-duṣhkṛite
tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam
Chapter 2 : Sānkhya Yog – Verse 50
Meaning: “Endowed with wisdom of equanimity, cast off in this life both good and bad deeds. Thus dedicate yourself to Yoga. Skill in action is Yoga.”
The most widely accepted and ancient text exclusively devoted to Yoga is the Yoga Sutra by Patanjali who is believed to be an incarnation of Adisesha, the serpent God. In this text, Yoga is defined as ” Complete control to the point of cessation (nirodhah) of modifications or patterns of the mind. (chitta vritti)” so that the seer(drashta) is established in its own self.
Yoga consists of eight limbs and leads to viveka khyati – enlightened discrimination, which in turn paves path for kaivalya – liberation from the cycle of birth & death. According to Maharishi Patanjali the eight limbs of yoga are – Yama (social restraints), Niyama (Personal observances), Asana (Physical postures), Pranayama (Control of life-force through breath regulation), Pratyahara (Withdrawal of senses), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation), Samadhi (Spiritual Absorption). Pratyahara is considered the bridge between the Bahiranga (first five limbs) Yoga and the Antaranga Yoga (last three limbs).
