What is the relationship between yoga and orthodox Hinduism?

by Eirik Yven

Question by anandam on "Yoga":

Is yoga an orthodox division of Hinduism from the beginning? Or yoga originally had nothing to do with Hinduism, but has been absorbed in Hinduism later?

Best Answer:

Answer by Sasi
It has been argued that Sankhya (enumeration, or 'count') and Yoga may have had their earliest origins in the Indus valley civilization. Yoga refers to a separate philosophical school or darshana, but it is also used in a wider sense to describe different methods of self-control and meditation in Hinduism. The Yoga school of thought relies on Sankhya metaphysics and uses as its basic text the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, dating from teh 2nd century before Christ. Yoga differs from Sankhya in that it emphasises specific practices for the attainment of liberation and introduces the Lord, Ishvara, as an object of devotion. He is presented as a specially exalted sould which has never been enmeshed in matter, a methodical help and meditational focus for the seeker. The final goal of Yoga, however, is not union with him but isolation of the soul. The practices of Yoga may be very ancient - a figure seated cross-legged can be seen on some of the Mohenjo Daro seals from the Indus valley. The Yoga school has developed carefully graded phsical and spiritual exercises which in modified form have become part of many schools of Hinduism.

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