Ashtanga Yoga, Ashtangayoga, Aṣṭāṅgayoga, Ashtamgayoga: 14 definitions
Introduction:
Ashtanga Yoga means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Aṣṭāṅgayoga can be transliterated into English as Astangayoga or Ashtangayoga, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Ashtanga yoga consists of 240 postures and represents the most intensive form of Hatha yoga. Also called "Power Yoga".
Ashtanga Yoga is a style of Hatha Yoga;
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) is the name of a work dealing with the Yoga system of Philosophy. It deals with—Meditation on eight particular parts of the body. By Śaṅkara Ācārya. B. G. 0. IV.
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) refers to the “eight auxiliaries (of Haṭhayoga)”, according to the Śivayogadīpikā, an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with Yoga possibly corresponding to the Śivayoga quoted in Śivānanda’s Yogacintāmaṇi.—Accordingly, [while describing a sequence of Haṭhayoga practices]: “Thus, by means of this Haṭhayoga which has eight auxiliaries (aṣṭāṅgayoga), those [students who are] life-long celibates (naiṣṭhika) obtain the Siddhis of the [best of Sages] because of their untiring practice. Listen to [my account of] them. In the first year, [the celibate] becomes free of disease and much loved by all people and, in the second year, he then [gains] great eloquence and can write poetry. [...]”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग).—Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhyāna, Dhāraṇā and Samādhi. Yama. That which prevents the yogīs from doing prohibited things. Ahiṃsā, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacarya and Aparigraha are yamas. (See full article at Story of Aṣṭāṅgayoga from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग).—Consists of āsana, prāṇarodha, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi, together with yamas and niyamas.*
- * Viṣṇu-purāṇa 104. 24-25.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) is explained by Lakṣmaṇadeśika in his 11th-century Śaradātilaka as yoga consisting of eight limbs, listed as:
- yama,
- niyama,
- āsana,
- prāṇāyāma,
- pratyāhāra,
- dhāraṇā,
- dhyāna
- samādhi.
Thus they are identical with those found in the Yogasūtras of Patañjali (2.29). However, while the Yogasūtras list five yamas and five niyamas (2.30, 2.32), the Śaradātilaka lists ten each (7–9ab).
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) refers to “eightfold yoga process, consisting of yama (control of the mind and senses), niyama (following rules and regulations of yoga practice), āsana (bodily postures), prānāyama (breath control), pratyāhāra (withdrawal of the mind from sensory perception), dhāraṇā (steadying the mind), dhyāna (meditation) and samādhi (trance)”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) refers to:—The yoga system consisting of eight parts: yama (the process of controlling the senses), niyama (restrain of the senses), āsana (bodily postures), prāṇāyāma (breath control), pratyāhāra (withdrawal of the mind from sensory perception), dhāraṇā (steadying the mind), dhyāna (meditation) and samādhi (deep and unbroken absorption on the Lord in the heart). (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) refers to—Eightfold yoga process.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) refers to “eight-limbed yoga” (used to contemplate on the Lord, as part of daily worship), as discussed in chapter 7 (Kriyākāṇḍa) of the Pārameśvarasaṃhitā: an important Pāñcarātra text of 8700 verses followed closely by the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam—dealing with priestly concerns such as their daily routines, occasional liturgies and expiatory services.—Description of the chapter [nityotsavā-vidhāna]:—[...] (Once again when this cycle has been repeated, still in the temple) he starts practice of contemplation of Lord through the eight-limbed yoga [e.g., aṣṭāṅgayoga] (438-503) with all the stages duly observed. Terminating his yoga, and ritually ending his day of service in the temple, he petitions that none of the good which accrued from his actions come to him but that it be returned instead to God (504-521). [...]
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
aṣṭāṅgayōga (अष्टांगयोग).—m S Yoga or Austere devotion in its eight branches or modes. See the eight under aṣṭavidhasamādhi. Ex. aṣṭāṅgayōgābhyāsēṃ || citta nirmaḷa hōya āpaisēṃ ||
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
1) Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—yoga. Bik. 566. Burnell. 112^b. Aṣṭāṅgayogaśāstre Gāyatrīsaṃkalpa. P. 12.
2) Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग):—by Śaṅkarācārya. B. 4, 2.
3) Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग):—read Aṣṭāṅgayogaśāstre Japāgāyatrīsaṃkalpa.
Aṣṭāṅgayoga (अष्टाङ्गयोग):—[=aṣṭāṅga-yoga] [from aṣṭāṅga > aṣṭa > aṣṭan] m. the eightfold Yoga (consisting of yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhyāna, dhāraṇa, and samādhi, qq.vv.), [Upaniṣad]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Aṣṭāṃgayōga (ಅಷ್ಟಾಂಗಯೋಗ):—[noun] the eightfold path of training one’s body and mind for the sake of liberation according to Patanjali's system.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Yoga, Ashtanga.
Full-text (+52): Pratyahara, Dharana, Niyama, Anilayama, Udanavayu, Yoga, Dhyana, Vyanavayu, Attankayokam, Pranayama, Hathayoga, Viniyoga, Yogopaya, Krityakritya, Hathapradipikatika, Siddhikrama, Sequence, Samsarasagara, Vindhyaga, Raja Yoga.
Relevant text
Search found 74 books and stories containing Ashtanga Yoga, Astangayoga, Aṣṭāṅgayoga, Aṣṭāṅgayōga, Aṣṭāṅga-yoga, Aṣṭāṅga-yōga, Astanga-yoga, Ashtamgayoga, Aṣṭāṃgayōga, Astamgayoga; (plurals include: Ashtanga Yogas, Astangayogas, Aṣṭāṅgayogas, Aṣṭāṅgayōgas, yogas, yōgas, Ashtamgayogas, Aṣṭāṃgayōgas, Astamgayogas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)
Text 13 < [Chapter 1 - Prathama-yāma-sādhana (Niśānta-bhajana–śraddhā)]
Text 9 < [Chapter 2 - Dvitīya-yāma-sādhana (Prātaḥ-kālīya-bhajana)]
Yoga Upanishads (study) (by Heena B. Kotak)
Part 6 - Summary of the Trishikhi-brahmana-upanishad (Trisikhibrahmanopanisad) < [Chapter 2 - Brief survey of the 20 Yoga Upanishads]
Part 7 - Summary of the Darshana-upanishad (Darsanopanisad) < [Chapter 2 - Brief survey of the 20 Yoga Upanishads]
Part 1.5 - Description of Ashtanga Yoga < [Chapter 3 - Analytical and Critical study of 20 Yoga-Upanishads]
Yoga-sutra with Bhashya Vivarana (study) (by Susmi Sabu)
The Yoga of Krishna Pattabhi Jois < [Chapter 2 - Origin and Development of Yoga Philosophy]
Eight limbs of Yoga (ashtanga yoga) < [Chapter 4 - Textual Examination of the Text]
Yogatattva Upanishad (translation and study) (by Sujata Jena)
Part 1 - Practice of Ashtanga-yoga—Introduction < [Chapter 4 - Ashtanga-yoga and Practice in Yogatattva Upanishad]
Part 1.6 - Dharana (fixed attention) < [Chapter 4 - Ashtanga-yoga and Practice in Yogatattva Upanishad]
The concept of Yoga according to Yoga Upanisads (by Jeong Soo Lee)
Chapter 5 - Rajayoga in the Yoga-upanisads
3. The Kinds of Yoga < [Chapter 1 - The Origin of Yoga and its Evolution]
Introduction to Upanisads and Yoga-Upanisads < [Introduction]
Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study) (by Deepak bagadia)
Part 7 - Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga compared to Jainism < [Chapter 4 - A Comparative Study]
Part 4.4 - Yogic techniques for control of Vrttis (1): Kriyayoga < [Chapter 2 - Yoga philosophy and practices]
Part 4.4 - Yogic techniques for control of Vrttis (5): Isvara-pranidhana < [Chapter 2 - Yoga philosophy and practices]
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