14 views
YOGA:from Pre-Vedic to Modern Period
Whenever you hear the word 'yoga' chances are that image of people twisting in,seemingly,immpossible poses may pop into your head.
while yoga asanas are effective and powerful.Yoga is more than the asanas or poses, it is known today.it is not just a passing modern fad that evolved over last few decades.The fact is that it dates as far as a few milleniums!!!!.Yes,incredible it may sound, yoga goes way back to BC times.
What is Yoga??
'Yoga' was derived from Sanskrit word 'Yuj' which means 'to join'or 'to unite'. The union is reffered to is that of your mind with your body.you integrating with your surrounding with nature .And,finally your individual consciousness with universal consciousness.
1.PRE-VEDIC and VEDIC PERIOD
the earliest recorded mention of the word 'yoga' is in the Indian tests,the 'Rigveda' -this body of knowledge dates back to around 1500 BC!!!!!!!!,in the atharva veda,again,there is mention of importance of control of breath.However,even before this,in the indus-saraswathi civilizationseveral seals and fossils have been found and with figuares performing yoga sadana.
2.PRE-CLASSICAL PERIOD
The upanishads took birth in this era.They explain meaning hidden in the vedas elaborating on the working of the mind and spirit through personal teachings. out of 108 upanishads,there are 20 yoga upanishads which talk about yogic techniques like pranayama[bragging excercise ]and pratyahara[withdrawal of senses].
3.CLASSICAL PERIOD
The 'Bhagavadgita' also came into existence in this period .This text is also eenlightment given by Lord krishna[universal consciousness]to Prince arjuna[human consciousness].Here ,lord Krishna explains the concepts of Dharma,karma yoga[generous actions],Bhakthi yogs[dedication and caring actions]and jnana yoga[knowledge].
In 'Bhagavadgitha',lord krishna says "samatvam yoga vachyathe"-equanimity in the mind is a sign of yoga.Yoga is that ability to remain centered in adverse situations.whatever takes us,back to our original ,joyous and harmonious nature is Yoga.
maharshi pathanjali,considered as father of yoga ,first one to systematize the practice of yoga, in which is believed to be the second centuary Bc.Through his yoga sutras ,he desseminated the meaning of yoga and the knowledge it has offer.
4.POST -CLASSICAL PERIOD
in this era,many sages and philosopers such as Adi shankaracharya contributed to development of Raja yoga(the path of introspection)and jnana yoga(tthe path of balancing physical,mental and pranic layer in the body)adopting and building upon the techniques and teaching of yoga.
5.MODERN PERIOD
swami vivekananda was largely responsible for spread of yoga to western societies.
Raja yoga was further developed by Ramana maharshi ,Ramakrishna paramahamsa,vivekananda and others.
such was the long and illustratious journey that yoga undertook to reach the 21st centuary!!.It ha had various contributors and undergone many changes .Despite of all this,the essence of yoga remain becoming one with your self,spirit and world around you
This profound spiritual meaning of yoga is now being recognized globally as the united nations has named June 21st as "International yoga day"-a day to assaign this ancient practice its rightful place as a way of life that engenders peace ,harmony and universal integration.
HAPPY YOGA DAY TO ALL
if you like it ,please share your comments here...........
while yoga asanas are effective and powerful.Yoga is more than the asanas or poses, it is known today.it is not just a passing modern fad that evolved over last few decades.The fact is that it dates as far as a few milleniums!!!!.Yes,incredible it may sound, yoga goes way back to BC times.
What is Yoga??
'Yoga' was derived from Sanskrit word 'Yuj' which means 'to join'or 'to unite'. The union is reffered to is that of your mind with your body.you integrating with your surrounding with nature .And,finally your individual consciousness with universal consciousness.
1.PRE-VEDIC and VEDIC PERIOD
the earliest recorded mention of the word 'yoga' is in the Indian tests,the 'Rigveda' -this body of knowledge dates back to around 1500 BC!!!!!!!!,in the atharva veda,again,there is mention of importance of control of breath.However,even before this,in the indus-saraswathi civilizationseveral seals and fossils have been found and with figuares performing yoga sadana.
2.PRE-CLASSICAL PERIOD
The upanishads took birth in this era.They explain meaning hidden in the vedas elaborating on the working of the mind and spirit through personal teachings. out of 108 upanishads,there are 20 yoga upanishads which talk about yogic techniques like pranayama[bragging excercise ]and pratyahara[withdrawal of senses].
3.CLASSICAL PERIOD
The 'Bhagavadgita' also came into existence in this period .This text is also eenlightment given by Lord krishna[universal consciousness]to Prince arjuna[human consciousness].Here ,lord Krishna explains the concepts of Dharma,karma yoga[generous actions],Bhakthi yogs[dedication and caring actions]and jnana yoga[knowledge].
In 'Bhagavadgitha',lord krishna says "samatvam yoga vachyathe"-equanimity in the mind is a sign of yoga.Yoga is that ability to remain centered in adverse situations.whatever takes us,back to our original ,joyous and harmonious nature is Yoga.
maharshi pathanjali,considered as father of yoga ,first one to systematize the practice of yoga, in which is believed to be the second centuary Bc.Through his yoga sutras ,he desseminated the meaning of yoga and the knowledge it has offer.
4.POST -CLASSICAL PERIOD
in this era,many sages and philosopers such as Adi shankaracharya contributed to development of Raja yoga(the path of introspection)and jnana yoga(tthe path of balancing physical,mental and pranic layer in the body)adopting and building upon the techniques and teaching of yoga.
5.MODERN PERIOD
swami vivekananda was largely responsible for spread of yoga to western societies.
Raja yoga was further developed by Ramana maharshi ,Ramakrishna paramahamsa,vivekananda and others.
such was the long and illustratious journey that yoga undertook to reach the 21st centuary!!.It ha had various contributors and undergone many changes .Despite of all this,the essence of yoga remain becoming one with your self,spirit and world around you
This profound spiritual meaning of yoga is now being recognized globally as the united nations has named June 21st as "International yoga day"-a day to assaign this ancient practice its rightful place as a way of life that engenders peace ,harmony and universal integration.
HAPPY YOGA DAY TO ALL
if you like it ,please share your comments here...........
