International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy and Physical Education

Authors
Dr. M Venkatachalapathy, P Vijayakumar

Abstract
Yoga, as a system of philosophy and way of life, is one of the most ancient and noble gifts of India to the world. Yoga is more common among people as a physical exercise that helps one to tame his mind and body. Yet in the philosophical tradition of India it has an important status as any other school of thought. This article addresses Yoga as it is a philosophical discipline where the antiquity of Yoga as a word and concept, the contribution of Patañjalī to the system of Yoga, the nature of Yoga as it is defined by Patañjalī in his Yogasūtras and aṣtāṅgayoga are elaborated. Its metaphysical affinity with the system of Saṅkhya is detailed. A special attempt is done to address the age old enigma of Yoga namely the status of God in Yoga on the basis of teachings of Patañjalī in the Yogasūtras.