Historical Background
Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy (tolerated by Brahmanism and based on the
Vedas) as distinct from heretical systems such as Buddhism, Jainism, and the vast body of knowledge known
as the Tantras. The word ‘Yoga” commonly refers to the ‘classical’ system formulated by Patanjali. Patanjali
is re-formulating Samkhya philosophy. Samkhya is atheistic, whereas (Patanjali’s) yoga is theistic (Isvara).
Yoga emphasizes techniques of meditation, wheres Samkhya emphasizes metaphysical knowledge (Gnosis).
Samkhya dissociates spirit (Purusa) from matter (Pakrti), and is sometimes called ‘dualistic’.
Yoga and Samkhya share an ancient pre-history.
Brahmanism is based on the ancient scriptures known as the Vedas. Reaction against the ritualistic aspect of
Brahmanism is seen in the body of writing known as the Upanishads. Upanishads remain close to
metaphysics and contemplation but share common techniques with yoga.
The term yoga in its technical sense first occurs in the Katha Upanishad. The middle Upanishads (circa
200BC), in the same epoch as Bhagavad Gita, set forth more explicit and elaborate yogic ideology and
techniques. The late Upanishads are known as the‘yogic Upanishads’. The Yogatattva Upanishad is closely
acquainted with yogic practices and mentions four kinds of yoga – Mantra, Laya, Hatha and Raja, and
describes yogic asanas and breath techniques.
The richest in technical detail and highly anti-devotional in character is the Dhyanabindu Upanishad, which
also describes subtle physiology. Brahmanism was also weakened by the rise of ‘Hinduism’ with its
devotional aspect appealing to the populace in contrast to the unapproachable and dry rituals of
Brahmanism. Hinduism adopted many of the yoga techniques and ideologies – as it still does. Around the
fourth century BC saw the beginning of Buddhism which became immensely popular (in part due to its lack
of caste). Around the first century AD, Buddhism split into two schools – Hinayana and Mahayana. Mahayana
was not orthodox, and slowly began to incorporate elements of tantra (as in present-day Tibetan Buddhism).
Around 400AD Tantrism was introduced into the popular and already established system of Buddhism, by
Asanga, and by Natarjuna. Tantrism served as a vehicle by which a large number of foreign and exotic
elements made their way into Hinduism. In Tantrism the human body acquires an importance it had never
before attained in the history of spiritual India. The body is no longer a source of pain and suffering, but the
most reliable and effective instrument for ‘conquering death’. And since liberation can be gained in this life,
the body must be preserved as long as possible and in perfect condition. In Hatha Yoga, there is the
intention to master the body in order to transmute it into a divine body, but with less emphasis on the
Trantric rituals and more on psycho-physiological techniques. The appearance of Hatha Yoga is linked with
the name of Gorakhnath who lived around the 8th century AD. He is credited with the authorship of ‘Hatha
Yoga’, no longer extant, and a text entitled the ‘Goraksa Sataha’. This text probably served as the basis for
the ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika (light on yoga) by Svatmarama in the 15th century. Two other texts are important
– Gheranda Samita and the Siva Samhita.
Between 7-8th century AD, there were many unorthodox sects, which appear to have degenerated and lost
their original meaning. Around this time, the so-called Nath yogis set about re-defining and putting yoga
back into its true tradition. This was the basis for what is now known as Hatha Yoga. An earlier attempt was
made at systemizing and synthesizing the different threads of the yogic tradition by Patanjali, around 2nd
century AD, who based his eight step Raja Yoga on the eightfold path of Buddhism. Raja yoga is based on
meditative and contemplative practices, and its philosophy is very similar to the system of Samkhya. Its 8
steps or limbs (Astanga Yoga) include Yama and Niyama, which are borrowed from Buddhism. Hatha Yoga
does not emphasise these two limbs (although they are to be cultivated throughout), but instead emphasizes
purifying the body – this is called Shat Karma.
The two systems can be summarized:
Classical Yoga ‘Raja Yoga’
(Patanjali)
Hatha Yoga (Svatmarama)
Yama
Shat Karma
Niyama
Asana
Asana
Mudra
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Pratyahara
Pranayama
Dharana
Dhyana
Dhyana
Samadhi
Samadhi