Introduction
:
From where History of yoga in India started? It is a
question for everyone who is new. The description of the origin of Yoga
included in shiv Samhita which describes the proper yoga background with the
knowledge of inventer of Yoga. Swara Yoga which gives the definition of the
origin of yoga mainly focuses on inner engineering of Vata, Pitta and Cough.
The balancing of these three components in the body makes
the body healthy. This science mainly focuses on maintaining an equilibrium
between body and mind. It is an art of healthy living which is the basic
requirement in modern life. The History of Yoga is deeper. I am starting with
the meaning of word yoga. It mainly derives from the Sanskrit word “Yuj”,
meaning “to join” or “to yoke” or “to unite”.
According to ancient scriptures, Yoga leads to a path on
harmony between an individual and the universe. Living with freedom is the main
concern of practicing yoga which gives you oneness inside you. It will also
execute harmony between body and mind. It takes you to a path i.e.”Moksha“.
Yoga also helps in developing the inner science comprising of a variety of
methods by which you can be master in yourself and can attain your goal. It
leads to a path of humanity i.e. basic human values.
Perception
of the History of Yoga in India:
Some scholars believed that Yoga is came into view in 5000
BCE and some believe it came into view in 10000BCE. If we go back to
5000BCE(Indus valley civilization) we got the proof of Yoga existence from seal
and fossil. The origin of Yoga is long before the first religion or belief system.
In the yogic lore shiva is the first yogi or Adiyogi or Adiguru who has never
introduced himself. he just spread the knowledge of Yoga to Sapta rishi best
known as seven sages. Several thousand years ago on the bank of lake
Kasntisarovar in the Himalaya Adiguru poured his knowledge into the legendary
seven sages or Sapta Rishi.
Sapta Rishi has taken away this yogic knowledge to every
direction of the world including Asia, Northern Africa, South America, and the
Middle East. The last Rishi, who was more knowledgable, came to India. He
distributed the core yogic knowledge in India. The name of this last Rishi was
Agastya Muni. That is why the yogic system found its fullest expression in India.
Classification
of yoga in India:
The Brief History of yoga in India has categorized into six categories according to the time period.b
- Pre-Vedic period
- Vedic period (1700BCE-500BCE)
- Pre-classical (500BCE-200BCE)
- Classical (200BCE-500CE)
- Post-classical (500CE-1500CE)
- Modern (1800CE-1900CE)
Pre Vedic
period:
This period of yoga has its existence 5000 years ago in the
history of yoga when Indus- valley civilization existed. Some significance like
Pashupati seal in meditation gives clarity about the existence of Yoga in this
period. There is a concern by scholars that this period would have remained
female-oriented because the seal and statue of the female have more numbers
than males. It is the time where everything is in an orderly mannered without
the ruler or king. The work carried by mutual understanding and this can’t be
possible without yoga. There is no sign of war between the community so it is
clear that they are following Ahimsa which is the basic need to be yogi.
Vedic period:
This period of yoga 1700BC-500BC knows as the Vedic period
in the history of yoga. In this period of Yoga the old scripture “Rig Veda” has
written. It also contains black magic theory. The focus is on the spiritual
world rather than the physical postures of Yoga. This textbook deals with
different magic spills. This Veda is oldest scripture also deals with tantra
vidya. This veda comprising the shiv story of yoga known as shiv samhita or
shiv Sarvodaya. In this period yoga is not in a proper format and indexing so
it is difficult for a normal person to do yoga.
Pre-classical:
This period extends from 500BCE-200BCE in the history of
yoga. In this period of yoga Jainism and Buddhism tradition became very popular
have their significance on the peak. Both are based on inner engineering and
pratyahara. The only difference in both is that Jainism is focused on to make
life difficult for a normal person whereas Buddhism focuses on the feasibility
of life. Both are less difficult in comparison to the Hindu religion which was
came from Arya at that time. That is the reason people on that time-shifted
towards these two religions.
The
classical era of yoga:
It has a time span of 200BCE-500CE. Maurya and Gupta dynasty
ruled the country in this period of yoga due to which the significance of the
combination of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism tradition has been found. Ajanta and
Ellora caves are also constructed in this period which consists of statue and
pillars related to these religions.
This is the era where Maharishi Patanjali has given eight
limbs of Yoga which is also known as Ashtanga in the history of yoga by which
he has indexed and properly formated yoga and made it feasible for every human
being. These 8 limbs will take you from knowing yourself to a state of samadhi
in a proper way. This system is properly managed for a normal human being.
The
post-classical era of yoga:
It has a period of 500CE-1500CE where Bhakti yoga is more
focused than any other form of Yoga. Surdas, Mirabai, and Tulsidas are the main
contemporary poet of this era who believed in the bhakti-yoga. Another form of
yoga discussed in this era is Hatha yoga, which mainly focuses on physical
postures.
Modern
era of yoga:
Modern era of yoga basically focuses on Hatha Yoga. In the
century of 18th and 19th yoga scholars began travel to the west. It is started
with Swami Vivekananda in 1893 parliament of religions in Chicago when swami
vivekananda wowed the attendees with his lectures on Yoga. In 1920 Hatha yoga
is strongly promoted in India by T. Krishnamacharya, Swami Sivananda, and other
yogis. Krishnamacharya opened the first Hatha yoga school in Mysore in 1934.
also Sivananda placed the foundation of Divine life of society in 1936 at the
bank of Holy river Ganga. The three disciples of Krishnamacharya i.e. B.K.S
Iyengar founder of Iyengar yoga,TKV Desikachar and Pattabhi Jois, continue his
legacy and spread the knowledge of Hatha yoga.
