Historical Review of Yog

 Introduction

Yoga is a beneficiary health process that maintains all the physiological functions of the body in a very healthy process detoxifying the free radicals from the body and uplifting the health of an individual, strengthens the immunity and longevity of a person. The exact time period of yoga is very detrimental and many texts present it in a very complex manner. Reference of yoga in many texts like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, Buddhism as well as Jainism can be ascertained in many contexts while speaking about spirituality of mind, body and soul and these texts also speaks about control of breathing and importance which reflects the normal functioning of all health and maintaining proper health in a proper way by practicing yoga.There is no clear cut demarcation regarding the origin of yoga. Two theories that is linear theory which regard yoga to be Vedic origin and synthesis theory which reflects yoga to have western influence. Linear theory is mainly supported by Hindu scholar1. 

  Indus Valley civilization is one of the oldest civilizations. Many references of practicing yoga are determined by finding some artifacts during excavation in many parts and are determined by seeing the seals which reflects the yoga postures2.

     Some of the texts reflect that incorporates that practicing yoga has started form the dawn of civilization. Lord Shiva is regarded as the first guru of yoga and is also known as aadi yogi and has taught yoga to seven of his disciples and they have spread yoga teaching in this mortal world. Many textual references can also be seen Yogic and Tantric system and they have also regarded lord Shiva as the first guru of yoga. The teachings that were spread by Lord Shiva have come down to earth in the form of Agama Sastras. Many references can be seen in this present period and some of the examples are Nava Nath tradition that was done by Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath and seven other gurus and this is very popular in North India.

            From the southern part of India clear demarcation regarding Siddha Agastiar or Agastya Muni can be seen who had created lineage of Siddhas who were specialized in Yoga, Tantra, Mantra, Medicine, Astrology and other sciences. Books like Shiva sutras and Vigyana Bhairava tantra clearly emphasizes certain techniques which ascertain liberation of soul from the limitation of body and mind3

  .References of Yoga during Vedic Period

Vedic Period (1700-500 BCE)

The Vedas are the sacred book from the Hinduism way of side which contains hymns having divine power. The Vedas are the oldest texts for Yogi’s and also the origin of yoga in Indian culture and tradition. The references of yoga can be ascertained in Vedas in the context of hymns that were sung by rishis by sitting straight from few days to week and even month4 . Control of breathing while chanting mantras is very essential and the rishis get control of it by practicing tremendous breathe control (Pranayama) practices. Tremendous mind control and concentration is also highly essential and can only be achieved when one have great control in mind, body and soul5.  Evidence of Mantra Yoga, Prana Yoga and Dhyana Yoga is also incorporated in Vedic texts6.

Rig Veda:-

Rig Veda dates back around 1500 B.C.E. Rig Veda is the oldest sacred book of Indian mythology. It consists of Samhita, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads7.In this Veda the Rishis were seen to advice the aspirants to follow the path of divine attainment by following the path of yoga which manifests the control of mind, body and soul. References of yoga are reflected in many aspects in the hymns that were chanted by sages from ages. References of yoga is reflected in Rig Veda in various senses like yoking, Harnessing etc8

Yajur Veda:- 

The exact time period of this Veda is uncertain and according to some textual references it is determined to be in between 1500-800 BCE (Estimated by Witzel) .. The two sides of Yajur Veda is versed that is- Krishna Yajurveda and Shukla Yajurveda9 . “Yujate mann…” of the Rig Veda is found in Yajurveda for the sake of putting emphasis on mental yoga10. 

Atharva Veda:-In Atharva Veda particularly in the Vartya khanda, references of yoking and harnessing as well as preference of breathe controlling yogic practices is also ascertained. The vartyas are a group of people who used to worship god of wind and used to sing song and by these practices they used to control the notes for a longer period in a very beautiful and easy manner11.

References of Yoga in Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita: - One of the sacred mythological books of Hinduism that is Bhagavad Gita gives emphasis on yoga bhava or yoga attitude. The time period of Bhagavat Gita has been ascertained by many schools of thoughts and is detrimental to be around 2nd century BCE (Arvind Sharma). Gyana, Bhakti, Karma and Raja yoga are some of the incorporating ideas from the Sankhya yoga philosophy that were incorporated or covered under the texts12 Practical instruction regarding yoga is not determined in the text other than sitting posture to sit straight with neck erect while practicing meditation13.

Yoga in Upanishads

The Upanishads, one of the sacred books of Hinduism gives proper explanations regarding sacred thoughts of Vedas and is also regarded as the end form of Vedas. There are about 180-200 Upanishads. Direct and indirect references of practicing yoga are detrimental in many coatings. Special importance of controlling breathe is seen in Upanishads and it is determined that by breathing practices one can keep a complete account regarding healthy behavior of all the organs of the body including mind. 

1.Advaya Tarakopanishad

It is the 53rd number of 108 Upanishad and form a part of Shukla Yajurveda. The persons become eligible of Taraka yoga who has controlled all his senses and have the 6 qualities of Sama, Dama, Uparati, Titiksa, Samadhana ans Sraddha. Description of Kundalini can be traced in this Upanishad. the person who has complete control of mind, body and soul will be eligible to liberate himself prom the clutch of birth and death and this can only be done by pertaining and tremendous practice of meditation and yoga. Description of mudra can also be traced in this Upanishad. reference of acharya who has well version of Vedas, complete devotee of Vishnu and who can practice yoga is incorporated in this Upanishad.

2. Amrita Nadoupanishad

It is the 21st number of 108 Upanishad present and it is a part of Krishna Yajurveda. Details of Yoga related description is present in this Upanishad. Six fold of Yoga that is Pratyahara, Dhyana, Pranayama, Dharana, Taraka and Samadhi is described under this Upanishad. 3 folds of Pranayama that is cessation, expiration and inspiration of air is described under this Upanishad. The benefit or fruit of regular practice of yoga is described very vividly under this heading .  Process of Meditation and the benefit related with proper way is described very beautifully. Limit of breathing is also described here.

3. Amrita Bindupanishad

This Upanishad is the twentieth number among 108 Upanishad and forms the part of Krishna Yajurveda. This Upanishad focuses mainly on the control of mind and seeds the pathway for the liberation of self from bondage. The Upanishad gives vivid description regarding control of mind and self through meditation. Purity of heart through meditation reflects the proper description regarding esteem yoga practices.  

4. Ksurikopanishad

It is the 31st among 108 Upanishad and it forms the part of Krishna Yajurveda.  Here ksurika is defined as a knife and for the attainment of yoga one has to cut the path of ignorance and knot of the heart etc and only after that one can be able to get free from the clutch of rebirth. In this Upanishad the proper description regarding aasana procedure and the proper way to pranayama has been described very elaborately. Description regarding Muladhara, Susumna nadi and marma (vital parts) can be found. Here susumna is regarded as Brahman and it do not possess the qualities of Raja and Tama. Description regarding Ida and Pingala can also be found and Ida stands to the left and Pingala to the right of Susumna Nadi. This Upanishad demarcates the possibilities of the attainment of Astanga Yoga and states that the person who has develop control in mind and has the ability to keep aside the earthly desires will be able to reach the fruitful effect of Yoga. Description regarding the Samadhi is also enlightened under this Upanishad.

5. Tejo Bindupanishad

This Upanishad is the 37th of the 108 Upanishad and forms the part of Krishna Yajurveda. The Upanishad gives a light on the description of Hamsa that is parmeswara and meditation has been advised to be done on Hamsa. Description of three faces- viswa, taijasa and pragya, three qualities – hiranya garbha, viraj and antara yamin and three humors – Brahman, Vishnu and rudra has been described here. Description of 15 fold of yoga that is Yama (Self control), Niyama (Right observance), Tyaga (Renunciation), Mauna (Quiescence), Desa (Right Place), Kala (Proper duration), Asana (Correct Posture), Mulabandha (Fundamental check), Deha samya (Equilibrium of the body), Drik sthiti (Stability of introception), Prana samyama (Control of breathe), Pratyahara (Withholding of breathe), Dharana (Suspension of breathe), Atma dhyan ( Meditation on Atman) and Samadhi ( Concentration on the Brahman) in order are the Angas (Stages of Yoga). Detailing of the 15 folds of yoga is described in this Upanishad. The process of attaining brahmanhood reflects great spirituality and control of mind, body and soul with the help of yoga practices ascertain the yogic vision and status in ancient period14.

6. Tri-sikhi Brahmanopanishad

It is the 44th of 108 Upanishad and forms the part of Shukla Yajurveda. For attaining the fruitful effect of yoga, conjugation of yoga and knowledge has been described under this Upanishad. Understanding of yoga can be achieved by gyana yoga and karma yoga. Description regarding ten folds of Yama and Niyama has also been described under this Upanishad. Aasana described under hatha yoga is ascertained under this Upanishad such as – Swastika posture,Go-mukha posture, Virasana posture, Baddha padmasana, kukkutasana, uttana kurmaka posture,dhanur aasana etc. are also described under this Upanishad. Rules and regulation for the control of breathe after purification of Nadi’s has been vividly described. Description regarding vital airs circulating in the nadi like- prana, apana, vyana, samana, udana, naga, kurma, krikara, deva-dutta, dhanam jaya has been described. Proper place for the practice of yoga is also described here. Destruction of all kinds of diseases by the practice of controlling breathing has been given priority under this Upanishad.

7. Darsanopanishad

This Upanishad forms the part of Samaveda and is the ninetieth of 108 Upanishad. It gives the details regarding the eight fold of yoga and also emphasis on the knowledge regarding attaining the supreme Brahmana.

8. Dhyana Bindupanishad

This Upanishad forms the part of Krishna yajurveda and is the thirty ninth of the 108 Upanishad. It deals with the way of attaining absolute Brahman and also imports pranava and ajapa hatnsa vidya and describes regarding 6 fold of yoga for attaining it.

9. Naada Bindupanishad

This Upanishad is the thirty eight of the 108 Upanishad and forms the part of Rigveda. It deals mainly with the knowledge of attaining videha mukti.

10. Paasupata Brahmanopanishad

This is the seventy seventh of the 108 Upanishad and forms the part of Atharva Veda. It deals with the real forms of Haipsa and Sutratman and has as its ultimate aim the attainment of the non-relative absolute Brahman. 

11. Brahma Vidyopanishad

This Upanishad is the fortieth of the 108 Upanishad and forms the part of Krishna Yajurveda. It deals with pranava hamsa vidya. It manifests the proper knowledge and ways for the realization of the Brahma.

12.Mandala Brahmanopanishad

This Upanishad is the forty eight of the 108 Upanishad and forms the part of Sukla Yajurveda. It deals with Astanga yoga, essentials of Raja yoga and provides explanation regarding three kinds of introseption, five folds ether and two folds Taraka.

    Sources:-

1.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga#Origins.

2.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343167439_Data_History_Yoga_in_Pre-Vedic_Vedic_and_Shamanic_period.

3.http://icyer.com/documents/The%20History%20of%20Yoga%20From%20Ancient-by%20Amma%20new.pdf   .

4.http://icyer.com/documents/The%20History%20of%20Yoga%20From%20Ancient-by%20Amma%20new.pdf .

5.http://icyer.com/documents/The%20History%20of%20Yoga%20From%20Ancient-by%20Amma%20new.pdf.

6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340732215_Yoga_Origin_History_and_Development_in_India.

7.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigveda 

8..http://icyer.com/documents/The%20History%20of%20Yoga%20From%20Ancient-by%20Amma%20new.pdf.

9.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yajurveda.

10.http://icyer.com/documents/The%20History%20of%20Yoga%20From%20Ancient-by%20Amma%20new.pdf.

11.http://www.hindupedia.com/en/History_of_Yoga.

12..https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita#Date

13.http://icyer.com/documents/The%20History%20of%20Yoga%20From%20Ancient-by%20Amma%20new.pdf

14.https://universaltheosophy.com/pdf-library/The%20Yoga%20Upanisads.pdf.



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