The Source of Yoga

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hometown Pride”

All of us know Yoga emanated from India. But ever wondered who propounded it or when it was done? Well, there is no certainty on when it was propounded. It may be 10000 or 15000 or even more years back. We also don’t know who propounded Yoga. Traditionally we just refer to him as Adiguru or Adiyogi. The word “Adi” means first. So he is considered the first guru or first yogi.

The first students of yoga were the disciples of the first guru, Adiyogi. They were seven of them, and they are referred to as “Sapta Rishis.” Sapta Rishi, in the Sanskrit language, means “Seven Sages.” These seven Rishis received the first transmission from Adiyogi. Adiyogi instructed them to travel across the land and transmit their knowledge, which they did tirelessly and selflessly so that the science of Yoga was still kept alive by human civilization even after many centuries. The footprints of these seven saints remain in every nook and corner of India to date. There are shrines consecrated by them or places where they have done penance and are considered sacred.

Yoga was not documented and handed over in a written form. It was just orally taught and transmitted from one generation to the next. Like this, it continued for centuries till the early 2nd century CE. In early CE, Patanjali Maharishi documented the theory and practice of yoga in his Yoga Sutras.

In modern society, there is a misconception that Yoga is a physical exercise and involves only twisting and turning the body. But Yoga was neither intended as an exercise nor propounded for physical well-being. Physical well-being is just a side benefit derived from doing Yoga. Various sages and scriptures have defined yoga like this

Let yoga propagate in its pure essence and form to reinvigorate humankind for centuries to come. My obeisance to Adiyogi for his immense forethought and vision to transmit something which has stood the test of centuries and still going strong.

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