Yoga and Ayurveda are the unique science of antiquity. Both were developed and practiced in similar circumstances with similar objectives in the same land. It may be pointed that Yoga and Ayurveda both are based on similar concept of human existence. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied disciplines. Both have advocated Aushadhi, Mantra, Japa, Samadhi etc.as the means of achieving their objectives. Besides spritiual paths, Yoga also teaches the use of drugs for Chitta-shuddhi. Similarly, besides Aushadhi, Anna, Vihara ( drug, diets etc.) Ayurveda also teaches the practice of Yoga. Thus there is a similarity in the approach of these two human sciences, though the emphasis varies.
Charaka Samhita the most important treatise of Ayurveda is like the ocean of knowledge. It is said that a single verse from Charaka Samhita can elaborate a full treatise. Thus like Mahabharata Charaka also quotes-
यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित् । (च. सि. 12/54)
Thus it is treasure of knowledge from life science to philosophy. Charaka Samhita, one of the foremost Ayurvedic classics, deals with the highest category of Yoga. The Yoga Sutras is the most elaborate ancient work we have on Yoga Darshan. We owe much to Maharshi Patanjali for his ability to collect and assess the later present a workable Yoga system in his Yoga Sutras. Ayurveda an eternal system of medicine, is known for it’s multidimensional approach towards mankind. Utility of this science starts right from fertilization to death, personal to public hygiene, diet and regimen to medicines and so on. Ayurveda and health are very closely related and supplementary to each other. Ayurveda does not concern with physical health only but spiritual and mental health also.
Physical and Mental health are interdependent and complimentary aspects of Ayurveda. Mental health is not a stage free from mental ailment but a vision of life which can be perceived in the total personality including thought process, emotions and minute feelings. Charaka has stated the Mool Pravrutti of an individual is Sukh. The criteria of Mental health are the definition of Sukhayu by Charaka ( Ch. Su. 22/4 ) . Satvasara is another concept which is very closer to the norms of Mental health as Stated by western scientists in this regard.
युज् - युनक्ति – युक्न्ते
गण-7वा, उभयपद
Shabdakosha reveals the use of the word, Yoga in three different meanings : 1) Sanyoga(Union) 2) Upaya( Ways or means) 3) Samadhi .
Etymologically the word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root
युजिर योगे। (धातुपाठ 1469)
‘Yujira’ meaning to unite, to combine or to integrate and thus may be taken to mean a state of union or integration i.e. the union of the individual soul or consciousness with the cosmic, divine or supreme soul or consciousness or a total integration of the physical, mental, intellectual and the spiritual aspect of human personality. The word, Yoga appears to have been used very profusely in Mahabharata to denote the way or means for achieving a goal or as a means of achieving the state of self realization . The means and ways advocated by Lord Krushna to the Pandavas for achieving the victory over the Kauravas which could include the diplomacies of the war and the planning at the battle field1, all these appeared to have been referred by the word Yoga.
The third prevalent meaning of the word yoga refers to Dhyana or Samadhi. Yoga when the word taken to mean Dhayana or Samadhi, i.e. derived from the Sanskrit root.
युज समाधौ। (धातुपाठ 1202)
Shankaracharya while interpreting the word, Yoga in his Bhasya on various Upanishads and Gita considers the word, Yoga as the derivative of the root “Yuj” meaning Samadhi. The Vyasa Bhasya on Patanjali Yoga sutras and Yadnyavalkya on Sarvadarshan Sangraha in the context of Patanjali Yogadarshan appear to interpret the word Yoga as Samadhi.
योग: समाधि:। (योगसूत्र भाष्य 1/1)
Though the word Yoga has been given three apparently distinct meaning namely ‘Sanyoga’(Union) ,‘Upaya’(Means), and Samadhi’. But all these three have one and the same attributes. Because, unless there is an union between the self and the object there may not be self realization or Samadhi and in turn unless there is self realization there may not emerge Upaya.
The traditional concept of Yoga needs further exposition in relation to the three traditional classics –
The early Upanishad.
Yogasutra of Patanjali.
Bhagavadgita
The central theme of the concept of Yoga in early Upanishads is around the science of meditation and self realization. The state of Yoga as conceived in Kathopanishad and also in Maitriupanishad reads “that they say, is the highest state when the five senses of knowledge together with the mind cease from their normal activity and the intellect does not stir2. Yoga in Upanishadika contexts is related to spiritual uplift and self realization including higher consciousness and awareness.
After the classical Upanishads the next and the most important work on Yoga is the Yogasutra of Patanjali. According to Patanjali, Yoga is the state of ceasation of all fluctuations in the mental being.
योगश्चित्तवृत्ति निरोध: । (पा.यो.1/2)
Shankaracharya also interprets Yoga as Samadhi, Samadhana3
योगो युक्ति समाधानम्। समाधानं योग:। (तै.उप.शा. 2/4/1)
Next most significant work on Yoga is Shrimad Bhagvadgita. Besides preaching the three classical paths of Yoga namely Karma Yoga, Dnyana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga4, Bhagavadgita also presents a very lucid meaning of Yoga. Thus popular definition of Yoga as seen in Bhagavadgita. -
1) योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय। सिध्दसिध्दयो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ।। (गीता 2/48)
‘Being steadfast in Yoga. O Arjuna, perform actions, abandoning attachment, remaining unconcerned as regards success and failure. This evenness of mind is known as Yoga.
2) बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते।
तस्मादयोगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् ।। (गीता 2/50)
Endued with this evenness of Buddhi, one frees oneself in this very life, alike from virtue and vice, devote yourself therefore , to this Yoga. Yoga is efficiency in Action .
3)विदयाद दु:खसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम्।। (गीता 6/23)
A state of severance from the contact with pain . This Yoga should be practised with perseverance, undisturbed by depression of heart.’ In Mahabharata-
नास्ति योग समं बलम्। (महाभारत)
Indicates that Yoga is most powerful means of Self realization. The word yoga also appears to have been used in certain Upanishads and also in Bhagvadgita as the state of achievement which is generally beyond the achievement of man. Thus Yoga is the achievement of some thing which is unachievable5.
Yoga is classified in different ways in different contexts by different texts.
A] Karma Yoga, Dnyana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga6.
B] Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga7.
C] Maha Yoga Consisting of above four as its components8.
Besides, a number of other categories of Yoga appear in different contexts. Each of eighteen chapters of Bhagvatgita has been named as Yogashastra and each chapter is named as Yoga. However, the eighteen chapters are not considered as eighteen varieties of Yoga but are usually classed in three groups i.e.viz. Karma Yoga, Dnyana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Mantra Yoga refers to the achievement of certain Siddhis with the help of enchanting of certain Mantras of the goods like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva etc9. Similarly Laya Yoga is the method of achieving certain Siddhis of Yoga by Getting oneself absorbed in the nine chakras10. Hata Yoga appears to have been described in detail in Yogatatvoupanishad. Hathayogapradipika considers Asana, pranayam, Mudra and Nada Anusandhana as the major Hatayoga practices and advocates that these Hathayogic practices may be practiced till the achievement of Rajayoga considering such practices as preparatory for Raja Yoga11.
Raja Yoga appears to be a term used for describing the most superior quality of Yoga. We find many controversies regardingon the nature of Raja Yoga. Yogashikhopanishad considers Raja Yoga as the union of the Rajas and the Retas12. Certain authors considering the Mana as the master of Indriyas accepts the Yoga of mind ( Raja ) i.e.Manovijaya as Rajayoga. However, conventionally the science and art of Yoga described by Patanjali is known as Rajayoga and generally it is called Raja Yoga because it ia the best quality of Yoga, although Patanjali himself has never named his system of yoga as Raja Yoga.
The scripture is called Yoga Darshan, is widely translated as ‘Philosophy of Yoga’, but actually the word Darshana has a much deeper meaning.
The word Yoga Darshana is derived from two verbs of Sanskrut
√ युज् ग्फ्छ √ दृश्
दृश्यते यथार्थ तत्वं अनेन इति दर्शनम्।
The philosophy aiding the person to rich up to the dept of truth Literally, it means ‘to see’ and is related to word drashta , meaning ‘the seer’. Darshan is the process of seeing. Therefore, Yoga Darshan means ‘a process of seeing through yoga’ but it does not mean seeing with the eyes, nor does it mean seeing with any other senses in the outside world. It means to see something beyond the senses and beyond the mind. It is a process of seeing with the eyes and other senses closed, and with the mind under complete control. Yoga Darshan is a method of higher perception ; it ia a means ‘ to see the invisible ‘ or ’ to see with spiritual insight! ’.
Main Pravartaka of Yoga Darshan is sage Patanjali and main treatise on Yoga Darshan is ‘YOGASUTRA’.
Yoga means union, to join; it is the same as the absorption in the state of Samadhi. Sutra means thread, and this thread, or multiple threads weave a tapestry of insight and direct experience. Some say that the name of the text uses the word sutra in its plural form, as Yoga Sutras, in that each of the sutras, or threads, comes together to form a complete tapestry. Others say that it is used in its singular form, as Yoga Sutra, in that there is one , consistent thread that flows through the entire text. The word implies that the written word carry an underlying continuous thought , the various ideas connect together like beads on a mala to form a complete philosophy.
Yoga Sutras are thought to be as old as 560 BC, archaeological evidence and other texts suggest that he methods describes in the Yoga Sutras were being practiced as early as 3000 BCE. Oral tradition states that the period may be even longer.
1] Raja Yoga ( Best quality of Yoga )
2] Ashtanga Yoga ( Ashta – eight, Anga – Rungs ) Eight fold path of Yoga- Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahara, Dharana,Dhyana, and Samadhi.
3] Sankhya Pravachana ( detailed explaination of Sankhya )
4] Seshwar sankhya