Origin of Yoga

The problem – Origin of Yoga

According to archeological evidence, Yoga began in India as early as 5000 B.C. The Yogic postures found, resemble Lord Shiva and Parvati performing various Asana and practicing meditation. Mythical tradition, suggests that Lord Shiva is said to be the founder of Yoga and Parvati his first disciple. In Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna says to his disciple friend Arjuna that he (Lord Krishna) offered this knowledge of Yoga to sages, masters, yoga aspirants in different ages. Lord Krishna and Shiva are known as Yogaeshwar or God of Yoga.

The history of Yoga has many places of obscurity and improbability due to its tradition of oral transmission of practices and the secretive nature of its teachings. The early writings on yoga were transcribed on delicate palm leaves that were easily damaged, destroyed or lost. Therefore, it is difficult to trace the origin, exact date and originator of Yoga. There are other reasons as well-

  • Indians never kept the historical records of events;
  • The abstract messages and subject matter of Yoga makes it even more difficult to trace the origin ;
  • The earliest authors of the texts were more concerned about the knowledge of Yoga, spiritual practices than mentioning their names. The highest tradition of Yoga abhors claiming any authorship of texts written by yoga masters.
  • The true nature of Yoga manifests when the practitioner looses one’s individuality or is absorbed into supreme consciousness which is objectless, all pervading, infinite and perceives one and only one reality. It is difficult for a realized person to talk about his material existence.
  • When a practitioner drops ‘I’ ness, mundane and material consciousness, then yoga reaches to its summit. The Yoga path is a precise, accurate and foolproof method for awakening to Reality within that dispels ignorance and sufferings from life forever. The duality that manifests in ‘I’, ‘my’, ‘me’, ‘you’, ‘he’ etc are all parts of ignorance.

The Indian 'darsana' or Philosophy has six Vedic (follow Veda in sum and substance) and three Non Vedic (not follower of Veda) organs - one of them out of Vedic philosophy is Yoga. A stone seal in the Indus Valley that is believed to be around 3000 BC show Yogic postures and this is the earliest archaeological evidence of origin of yoga. Stone seals have yogic postures that resembles Lord Shiva (Known as originator of yoga) and Parvathi performing various Asana and practicing meditation. Indian mythology claims that Lord Shiva is the founder of Yoga and Paravathi his first disciple. Lord Krishna says in Bhagvad Gita that yoga has eternal tradition which had been passed on to Vivasvan to Manu to Ikshvaku, given by him in all ages. The other mythology including Bhagvad Gita suggests that Lord Krishna is the Yogeshwara or the Founder of Yoga. Lord Krishna and Shiva both are considered as originators and founders of yoga.

Many scholars believe that Yoga originated with beginning of human civilization i.e. 5000 BC. Due to many similarities, it may be argued that yoga grew out of Stone Age Shamanism as both aims to transcend material life, body and mind. However, shamanism community used to practice healing which is now known as spiritual healing. This community was also involved in bringing about cosmic order through inner vision. While Yoga aimed at evolving oneself to highest state of consciousness, i.e. self-realization, self-perfection, which later manifest as a life dedicated for service of humanity.

The Indus-Sarasvati Civilization is one of greatest civilizations of the world. It is highly developed civilization constructed multistory buildings, a sewage system, and laid out geometrical brick roads. The stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. The stone seals depict figures performing Yoga postures. These artifacts officially put Yoga on the History books at 3000 B.C.

Vedas, Brahmans, Araynakas, Upanishads, Puranas (mythological stories written by Veda Vyasa), Sutra, Smriti, Agama etc evolved during the period from 5000 BC to 700 AD, frequently refer the subject of Yoga. Mythical traditions, suggests that Lord Shiva is said to be the founder of Yoga and Paravati his first disciple.

Aryans migration and Yoga

Not all scholars agree that Vedic Aryans migrated to subcontinent of India at least 5000 years ago, through central Asia, now known as Iran. A group of scholars claim that they did not come from outside but were the natives of the subcontinent, who might have  spread later to other parts of the world, carrying with them the fond memories of their old life styles and culture.

The belief of migration is based upon the fact that there were many similarities between the ancient people who lived in the land called Persia and those who lived in the northern parts of the subcontinent. There were similarities between Zoroastrianism and the Vedic religion of the early Aryans. However subsequently the two groups fell apart and the God of Zoroastrians, Ahura became a demon (Asura) in the terminology of the Aryans, while the devas of the Aryans became "powers of evil” (deva) to the Zoroastrians. 

There are many references of yoga in ancient texts of India which proves that the history of yoga is much later than what modern historians calculate.

Mantra No 4, Chapter 7 of Yajur Veda says:

"Aspirant of Yoga should learn and practice the eight fold of Yoga i.e. 5 Yamas-Non-violence, Truthfulness, Abstaining from theft, Celibacy and non stealing".

5 Niyams- Cleanliness, Contentment, Austerity, Study of holy books and Trust in God. Their Niyamas are also five. Then Asana, Pranayama, Pratayahar, Dharana, Dhayana and Samadhi

Yoga is taught in many mantras(verses) inVedas, considered oldest written scriptures:

Rig Veda Mantra I, Sukta 93 Mandal 9 Says:-

When a Yogi has control on his 5 organs of action, 5 organs of perception and mind through the power of Yoga, in this way when he does meditation, then he sees God (realize God within his soul)

Sam Veda's Mantra No 50 says:-

O God kindly be firmly established in our hearts during the Yogic and devotional morning practices inhalation, exhalation (Pranayam).

Sam Veda Mantra no 908 also states:

O Omnipresent God, Thou are realized by the Yogis/Tapsavis/wisers in their hearts through the power of Yoga i.e. Pranayam and meditation etc.