Yogic Texts

Question 1

Main Yogic Texts (Chronological Order)

Answer 1

1. Vedas
2. The Upanishads
3. The Bhagavad Gita
4. Yoga Sutras
5. Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Question 2

The Upanishads

Answer 2

Simplified & easier to understand concepts of the Vedas
(There are 112 discovered scripts, 10-12 are very important)

Question 3

Principles of Upanishads

Answer 3

1. Samsara (reincarnation)
2. Karma (action)
3. Dharma (duty)
4. Moksha (liberation)

Question 4

Bhagavad Gita

Answer 4

Independent Text - Part of “The Mahabharata” Indian Epic
Consists of 18 Chapters and about 700 verses

Question 4

Bhagavad Gita plot

Answer 4

Conversation between Arjuna & God Vishnu (In form of krishna). Arjuna is a great archer & a leader of Pandavas who are to battle rival cousin clan Kauravas.
Arjuna doesn’t want to battle his family and spill blood of his loved ones even though him winning is better for the Kingdom.
Krishna is his chariot driver and convinces him to not withdraw from battle.

Question 5

Reasons Krishna gave Arjuna to fight - Bhagavad Gita

Answer 5

1. Aatman- no one truly dies, they go to next stage of reincarnation
2. Duty- Dharma. He is a warrior, that is his purpose, his duty to fulfil in life.
3. Not choosing to fight is still a choice
4. Source of evil is not in action but in intention behind action
5. Ways to not get bad Karma:
   - Jhana Yoga (Knowledge)
   - Bhakti Yoga (Devotion)
   - Karma Yoga (Action)

Question 6

Who wrote Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Answer 6

Swami Svatmarama

Question 7

Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Answer 7

4 chapters - Salutation to previous Yoga masters, what yogi should eat , Yogic methodologies are not followed just by what you wear & phrases you say. Pranayama, asanas, mudras, and Kundalini.

Dedicated to a form of God Shiva - Lord Adinath, who gave secret techniques to Parvati.

Question 8

What are The Vedas

Answer 8

There are 4 vedas which are poems and hymns praising higher power. knowledge was very exclusive to who was shared with.
Sacrifices, ritual, ceremonies were common during the Vedic period.

Question 9

Who wrote The Yoga Sutras

Answer 9

Patanjali

Question 10

What are Yoga Sutras about?

Answer 10

Ashtanga Yoga - The 8 Limbed Path to reach Samadhi

Question 11

What is Samadhi?

Answer 11

Highest form of meditation where Aatman transcends into Brahman

Question 12

How many chapters are in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali?

Answer 12

1. Samadhi Pana - Contemplation (51 sutras “-threads)
2. Sadhana Pada - Practice (55 sutras)
3. Vibhuti Pada - Power, Manifestation, Accomplishments ( 56 Sutras)
4. Kaivalya Pada - Absoluteness (34 sutras)

Question 13

What does Sutra mean?

Answer 13

Thread. Sutras are short instructive sentences.
Threads weave together to create the 8 fold path to liberation