Yoga as defined/discussed in various ancient texts

Yoga in ancient texts

While browsing the web, I came across a website wherein were listed a few ancient texts which had their own definition of yoga or presented some aspect of yoga. I found it very interesting and informative to see yoga mentioned in various contexts. I decided to do some more research and have come up with my own compilation of statements (sutras)/verses which talk about yoga.

I would love to hear from you if you know of other instances in the ancient texts where yoga is defined/discussed in a different context.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (sutra 1.2) 

‘‘योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः’’ (1.2)

yogaś-citta-vr̥tti-nirodhaḥ ॥2॥

“Yoga is the cessation of all fluctuations of the mind”. 

This, of course, is the “gold standard” for the definition of yoga as far as we, yoga enthusiasts, are concerned. As per this definition, to attain the highest state of yoga – seedless samadhi – we need to empty the mind of all content.

Vyasa – commentary on sutra 1.1 

योगः समाधिः

yogaḥ samādhiḥ

“yoga is samadhi”

The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root word “yuj” which has multiple meanings. The most common meaning of yuj is to unite or join. However, the meaning that applies to the practice and study of yoga is to be in the state of “samadhi”.

Bhagavad Gita (2.48) 

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।

सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।।2.48।।

yōgasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṅ tyaktvā dhanañjaya. siddhyasiddhyōḥ samō bhūtvā samatvaṅ yōga ucyatē৷৷2.48৷৷

Perform your actions, O Arjuna, being steadfast in Yoga, having abandoned attachment. Remaining balanced in success and failure, evenness of mind is called Yoga.

Bhagavad Gita (2.50) 

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते |

तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् || 50|| 

buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛita-duṣhkṛite

tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam 

“Endowed with wisdom (evenness of mind), one can be free of both good and evil deeds in this life; therefore, devote yourself to Yoga; Yoga is skill in action.”

Bhagavad Gita (6.23) 

तं विद्याद् दु:खसंयोगवियोगं योगसञ्ज्ञितम् |

स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा || 23|| 

taṁ vidyād duḥkha-sanyoga-viyogaṁ yogasaṅjñitam

sa niśhchayena yoktavyo yogo ’nirviṇṇa-chetasā 

“One should know that severance from union with pain is known as yoga. This Yoga should be practiced with determination and with a mind that is free of agitation.”

Maha Upanishad (5.42) 

मनः प्रशमनोपायो योग इत्यभिधीयते ॥

manaḥ praśamanopāyo yoga ityabhidhīyate ॥

“The means to attain stillness of the mind is called yoga.” 

Manu Smriti (verse 2.100) 

वशे कृत्वेन्द्रियग्रामं संयम्य च मनस्तथा ।

सर्वान् संसाधयेदर्थानक्षिण्वन् योगतस्तनुम् ॥ १०0 ॥

vaśe kṛtvendriyagrāmaṃ saṃyamya ca manastathā |

sarvān saṃsādhayedarthānakṣiṇvan yogatastanum || 100 || 

“Having brought all the organs (five organs of sense perception and five organs of action) under control, and having also subdued the mind, one may attain the desired objectives, without hurting the body, through the practice of yoga” 

Katha Upanishad (verse 2.3.11) 

तां योगमिति मन्यन्ते स्थिरामिन्द्रियधारणाम् ।

अप्रमत्तस्तदा भवति योगो हि प्रभवाप्ययौ ॥ ११॥

tāṃ yogamiti manyante sthirāmindriyadhāraṇām ।

apramattastadā bhavati yogo hi prabhavāpyayau ॥ 11॥

“That state when all the senses are under control is known as yoga. One has to maintain careful vigilance (to maintain this state) for yoga is subject to growth and decay”. 

Shvetashvatara Upanishad (2.13) 

लघुत्वमारोग्यमलोलुपत्वं

वर्णप्रसाद स्वरसौष्ठवं च ।

गन्धः शुभो मूत्रपुरीषमल्पं

योगप्रवृत्तिं प्रथमां वदन्ति ॥ १३ ॥

laghutvamārogyamalolupatvaṃ

varṇaprasāda svarasauṣṭhavaṃ ca ।

gandhaḥ śubho mūtrapurīṣamalpaṃ

yogapravṛttiṃ prathamāṃ vadanti ॥ 13 ॥

“Lightness of the body, freedom from disease, absence of desire for sense objects, glowing body, sweetness of speech, pleasant odour, and minimal urine and feces – these are the initial attainments resulting from the practice of yoga.” 

Linga Purana

योग निरोधो वृत्तेस्तु चितस्य द्विज सत्तमा ।

yoga nirodho vṛttestu citasya dvija sattamā ।

“Yoga is the cessation of all mental fluctuations by the highest yogi.”

Maitri Upanishad (6.25) 

एवं प्राणमथोङ्कारं यस्मात्सर्वमनेकधा । युनक्ति युञ्जते वापि यस्माद्योग इति स्मृतः ॥एकत्वं प्राणमनसोरिन्द्रियाणां तथैव च । सर्वभावपरित्यागो योग इत्यभिधीयते ॥ ॥ २५॥

evaṃ prāṇamathoṅkāraṃ yasmātsarvamanekadhā । yunakti yuñjate vāpi yasmādyoga iti smṛtaḥ ॥ ekatvaṃ prāṇamanasorindriyāṇāṃ tathaiva ca । sarvabhāvaparityāgo yoga ityabhidhīyate ॥ ॥ 25॥

And thus it is said:- ‘Because in this manner he joins the Prâna (breath), the Om, and this creation in its manifold forms, or because they join themselves (to him), therefore this (process of meditation) is called Yoga. The oneness of breath, mind, and senses, and the surrendering of all mental formations, that is called Yoga.’