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Systemization

History > Systemization

During this later period, at about third century BC, a great sage named Patanjali composed his celebrated Yoga sutras, or aphorisms of Yoga. Though the knowledge of Yoga had existed for thousands of years before him, he is considered to be the first author who truly systemized Yoga and laid down exact methods and techniques for attaining it. His Yoga sutras are considered to be the greatest work on the subject. The treatment of the subject is addressed systematically and rationally in spite of its concentration into only 196 aphorisms (Sutras), most of which lack even the form of a sentence. Yet these are not merely loosely collected words, but aphorisms written by a mastermind, which give all the essential information concerning Yoga that comes within the range of spiritual experience.

He established Yoga as a practical discipline, emphasizing its eight important limbs or aspects: Yama (the five rules delineating moral conduct to abstain form), Niyama (five rules delineating moral conducts to observe), Asana (the practice of Yoga postures), Pranayama (the practice of control over breath), Pratyahara (the practice of withdrawal of senses), Dharana (the practice of concentration), Dhyana (the practice of Meditation) and Samadhi (the state of super consciousness).

The techniques of this classical Yoga as expounded by Patanjali have since been incorporated by almost all of the spiritual movements, which have later sprung up in India. Patanjali bags the credit for removing the element of mysticism in the Yoga philosophy and for laying it down clearly defined and elucidated.

Such is the origin and history of the profound spiritual discipline known as Yoga. The very fact that Yoga has existed for thousands of years is the proof of its veracity and usefulness to humankind. Even in the present times, it attracts people as much as it did in the distant past.