Ancient sage meditating in the forest, with light symbolizing enlightenment around him, and scrolls representing ancient texts beside him

Yoga, the most prominent path to liberation among all of the six orthodox schools (darshanas) of Hinduism, has its special features of easy approach and transformative power. Though in the West, the popular understanding of Yoga has become limited to physical postures (asanas), this is merely a superficial perspective of Yoga, which goes much deeper into philosophy.

 The Historical Roots of Yoga: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Patanjali writing Yoga Sutras in ancient script on palm leaves, surrounded by symbols of the eight limbs of yoga

  The system of Yoga was formally codified by Sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras, a concise but deep compilation of 196 aphorisms dating back to the 2nd century BCE.  These sutras have been divided into four chapters or padas and give a complete blueprint of yogic life:

  Samadhi Pada – Deals with the nature of meditation and concentration.

  Sadhana Pada – Deals with daily practices and disciplines.

Vibhuti Pada – About the occult powers that arise out of higher practice.

  Kaivalya Pada – Describes the ultimate goal: liberation of the spirit.

 Central to this philosophy is its defining sutra:

  "योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः" (Yoga Sutras 1.2)

"Yoga is the calming of the mind's fluctuations." This saying encapsulates the essence of Yoga: a deliberate attempt to totally silence the mind in order to reach its ultimate aim: to experience and realize one's true nature.

Yoga and Its Connection with Samkhya Philosophy

 Diagram showing Purusha and Prakriti duality with arrows showing interaction through mind and senses.

 

Yoga stands in absolute accord with Samkhya philosophy when it states that Purusha (pure consciousness) and Prakriti (material nature) are two different states. Yet it must also mark an important distinction: Ishvara namely, a special Purusha or supreme consciousness raised as a consideration in the process towards liberation.

  "क्लेशकर्मविपाकाशयैरपरामृष्टः पुरुषविशेष ईश्वरः" (Yoga Sutra 1.24)

  "Ishvara is a special Purusha, untouched by afflictions, actions, their results, or latent impressions." 

Ashtanga Yoga: The Eight Limbs of Practice

  Illustration of a yogi ascending eight steps on a path, each labeled with a limb of yoga

The very practical core of Yoga is called Ashtanga Yoga or the eightfold path, which leads practitioners from ethical grounding to absorption in the divine.

  Yama – moral restraints 

Ahimsa (non-violence) 

Satya (truthfulness) 

Asteya (non-stealing) 

Brahmacharya (moderation) 

Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)

 

Niyama – personal observances 

Saucha (purity) 

Santosha (contentment) 

Tapas (austerity) 

Svadhyaya (self-study) 

 Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion to the divine)   


  Asana – postures which stabilize and prepare the body for inner working.

  Pranayama – breath control techniques for regulating life energy (prana).

  Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses from outside stimuli.

  Dharana – focused concentration on a single object. Redirection of consciousness on one point.

  Dhyana – meditation; uninterrupted flow of concentration.

  Samadhi – blissful absorption, when unstoppered consciousness merges with the object of meditation.

Five Kleshas: Root Causes of Suffering

  Visual presentation of the five kleshas as knots around the heart, each labeled with the original Sanskrit word and its English translation

 The five kleshas constitute the afflictions Patanjali has identified, binding man to ignorance and pain:

Avidya – ignorance of what is real

  Asmita – identification of oneself with the intellect

  Raga – attachment

Dvesha – aversion

Abhinivesha – clinging to life

With regular practice, the intensity of these mental obstructions may be gradually weakened and dissolved over time.  

 Modern Extensions of Yoga Philosophy

 Modern person meditating in a peaceful room, with yamas and niyamas on the wall like affirmations

In its grand structure, Yoga as philosophy outlines a concrete, ethical practical path toward inner calm and lucidity for all epochs yet to come:

Yamas and Niyamas form the ethical foundations for interaction with oneself and others, as guides for behavior.

  Asanas and Pranayama act as healing modalities for physical health, mental resilience, and emotional balance.

  Meditation techniques helicopter view of intervening stress, focus-facilitation, and self-awareness-building.

 As stated in Bhagavad Gita (6.17): 

"Yoga extinguishes flame of suffering for one in moderation in eating, sleeping, walking and working."  

 Further Resources for Study

 The following classic and contemporary works may help delve further into Yoga philosophy:

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Edwin F. Bryant 

Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – B.K.S. Iyengar

Raja Yoga – Swami Vivekananda 

The Yoga Tradition – Georg Feuerstein

Conclusion: A Living Path to Liberation

 Yoga, far more than a system of fitness and exercises, is the living philosophy of self-mastery and self-fulfillment. With the practice of Yoga, an inner transformation can occur for an individual, from chaos to the stillness of truth. Whether a spiritual aspirant with some yearning for balance or just one who feels the crooks of the mind, Yoga Darshana provides a timeless map to ultimate liberation.