Yoga

Founder

Maharshi Patanjali

Era

c. 2nd century BCE – 4th century CE

Central thesis

Yoga accepts the metaphysics of Samkhya but adds a practical, eight-limbed psycho-physical discipline (ashtanga-yoga) for stilling the modifications of the mind (citta-vritti-nirodha). Through ethical observance, posture, breath regulation, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and absorption, the practitioner directly realises the distinction of purusha from prakriti. Yoga also accepts Ishvara as a special purusha and meditation focus.

Key texts

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Vyasa Bhashya
Tattva-vaisharadi of Vacaspati Mishra
Yoga-vartika of Vijnanabhikshu

Pramana (accepted means of valid knowledge)

Pratyaksha (perception)
Anumana (inference)
Shabda (verbal testimony)

View of liberation (moksha)

Kaivalya — the same as Samkhya, attained experientially via sustained samadhi in which purusha rests in its own nature and the gunas return to equilibrium.

Modern exponents

Edwin Bryant
Georg Feuerstein
B. K. S. Iyengar (applied)
T. K. V. Desikachar (applied)

Key concepts

Citta-vritti-nirodha (cessation of mental modifications)
Ashtanga — yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi
Kleshas (avidya, asmita, raga, dvesha, abhinivesha)
Samadhi (samprajnata and asamprajnata)
Ishvara-pranidhana (devotional surrender)