Essay name: Yoga-sutra with Bhashya Vivarana (study)
Author:
Susmi Sabu
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Department of Sanskrit
This essay studies the enduring and relevance of Yoga in India, highlighting its evolution from a comprehensive philosophy to primarily a physical practice. It further underscores the importance of studying Yoga texts to understand its historical trajectory. Special attention is given to the Patanjala Yogasutra Bhashya Vivarana, a significant work attributed to Adi Shankaracharya.
Chapter 4 - Textual Examination of the Text
7 (of 124)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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the word yoga in detail. It is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuja samādhau' and not from the root 'yujiryoge'. The meaning samādhi is more suitable to the word yoga. Samādhi is described as a quality of mind which belongs to all its stages (bhūmi). Here, Vivaraṇakāra adds one more point-‘this is a quality of mind and not of ātman. 15 While explaining the etymology of the word yoga,
Vivaraṇakāra points out that the meanings of the word and its
16 details. In the beginning of PYSBV, defines yoga as ‘yogaḥ
samādhiḥ'. After a few passages, it is clarified that, the sūtra -
'yogaścittavṛttinirodhaḥ'
becomes the definition of
nirbijasamādhi. Thus, the meaning of asamprajñātasamādhi is
17 also attached to the word yoga. In the subsequent passage,
Vivaraṇakāra mentions that the word yoga also bears the meaning
knowledge (khyāti).18
The tradition of teachers
PYSBV gives an account of a lineage of teachers of
Yoga. The list is similar to the tradition of teachers of Sānkhya
accepted by modern scholars. VBh. quotes the origin of Yoga
described by Pañcaśikhācārya. It is as follows- 'Having assumed
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