History of Yoga

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOGA

The practice of Yoga is believed to have started from the very dawn of civilization. As per ancient Vedic texts, Lord Shiva is considered to be the first teacher of Yoga. Yoga, as mentioned earlier, is also widely considered to be an ‘immortal cultural outcome’ of the Indus Valley Civilization that dates back to 2700 B.C. Yoga encompasses both material and spiritual upliftment, while remaining grounded in basic human values. The presence of Yoga in ancient India is evidenced by numerous seals and fossil remains from the Indus Valley Civilization, depicting Yogic motifs and figures engaged in Yoga Sadhana. These artifacts also suggest the influence of Tantra Yoga through phallic symbols and seals of Mother Goddess idols. 

Depiction of Yoga is also recorded in folk traditions, Vedic and Upanishadic heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darshanas, epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas and Vaishnavas, and Tantric traditions. There are also depictions of primordial or pure Yoga manifested in the mystical traditions of South Asia. This was the time when Yoga was being practiced under the direct guidance of a Guru and its spiritual value was given special importance. It was a part of Upasana and Yoga Sadhana was inbuilt into their rituals. The Sun was given the highest importance during the Vedic period. The practice of ‘Surya Namaskara’ may have been invented later due to this influence. Pranayama was a part of the daily ritual and offered the oblation. Though Yoga was being practiced in the Pre-Vedic period (2700 B.C.), the Great Sage Maharshi Patanjali systematized and codified the then-existing practices of Yoga, its meaning, and its related knowledge through his Yoga Sutras. After Patanjali, many sages and Yoga masters contributed greatly to the preservation and development of the field through their welldocumented practices and literature.

This documentary evidence spans from the pre-Vedic era to the period of Patanjali, solidifying the
existence of Yoga throughout this timeline. The main sources of information about Yoga practices and the related literature during this period are the 4 Vedas, the 108 Upanishads, the 2 epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana),the 18 Puranas, and the numerous Smritis and teachings of Buddhism, Jainism, and Panini, etc. Tentatively, the period between 500 B.C. and 800 A.D. (1300 years) is considered the classical period because this was the most fertile and prominent period in the history and development of Yoga. During this period, commentaries of Vyasa on Yoga Sutras, Bhagawad Gita, etc. came into existence. This period can be mainly dedicated to two great religious teachers of India –Mahavir and Buddha. The concepts of Pancha Mahavrata (five great vows) by Mahavir and Ashta Marga (eight- fold path) by Buddha can well be considered as the early nature of Yoga Sadhana. A more explicit explanation of these concepts can be found in the Bhagawad Gita, which presents the concepts of Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Karma Yoga. These three types of Yoga are still the highest example of human wisdom and even today people find peace by following the methods as shown in the Gita.

The period between 800 A.D. and 1700 A.D. (900 years) has been recognized as the post-classical
period. This period marked the teachings of great Acharyatrayas such as Adi Shankaracharya,
Ramanujacharya, Madhavacharya, Suradasa, Tulasidasa, Purandardasa, and Mirabai who were great
contributors during this period. The Natha Yogis of the Hatha tradition such as Matsyendranatha,
Gorakshanatha, Chauranginatha, Swatmarama Suri, Gheranda, and Srinivasa Bhatt are some of the
great personalities who popularised Hatha Yoga practices during this period.

Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga

Ministry of Ayush, Government of India