The Chronological Timeline of Yoga

Origin of Yoga by Adiyogi

Lord Shiva according to the Yogic tradition is considered as the ‘Yogeshvara” (Lord of Yoga). He is considered as the first Yogi of the universe and is also known as the “Adiyogi” (the first Yogi). Lord Shiva first of all transmitted the knowledge of Yoga to his consort Goddess Parvati

Human race receives the knowledge of Yoga

Adiyogi looked at the seven sages; known in the Vedic tradition as the Saptarishis on the day of Dakshinayana (summer solstice); who were strongly determined to acquire the knowledge of Yoga from him. The time period is estimated about 15,000 years ago.

On the next full moon day, Adiyogi on the banks of the lake Kanti Sarovar located near Kedarnath in the Himalayas turned southwards and started teaching the Saptarishis about Yoga. The day is celebrated as Guru Purnima in the Indian culture, as the world received its first Guru (teacher).

Image Courtesy :bharatdiscovery.org

Propagation of Yoga by the Saptarishis

Saptarishis became enlightened after receiving the knowledge of Yoga and became the limbs of Adiyogi. Then Saptarishis set out in the seven different directions in the seven different parts of the world to spread the knowledge of the Yogic science around the globe. They went to different parts of the world, including Middle East, North Africa and South America.

 The time period is estimated approximately of 15,000 years.

Reference of Yoga in Vedic era and post Vedic era literature

According to the Hindu tradition, Vedas are considered as the supreme truth, the voice of the supreme eternal soul Parabrahman. Around 3 Millennium BCE; Maharishi Ved Vyas complied the complete knowledge of Vedas in the written form. Before that, the knowledge of Vedas was passed from one generation to the other orally. They are regarded as the oldest literature in the world. The first ever written reference of Yoga was found in the Vedas.  Yoga was also discussed in Vedanta literature in detail in various texts like Upanishads.

In the sermon of Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta, delivered by Lord Krishna in the great battle of Mahabharata which was fought around 3^rd century BCE, the main emphasis was laid on Gyan Yoga (philosophy), Bhakti Yoga (path of devotional bliss), Karma Yoga (path of blissful action) and Raja Yoga (path of mind control).

The first archaeological evidence of Yoga:

Indus Valley civilization is considered as one of the earliest planned human civilizations. During the excavations, a seal was unearthed which depicted a person sitting in a Yogic posture surrounded by animals.  The seal is believed to be representing Lord Shiva in his Pashupati (Lord of Animals) form. Various such seals and fossil remains were discovered from the Indus valley excavations with Yogic motives and figures performing Yoga Sadhana.

Pashupati seal
(pic courtesy: Wikipedia) 

The time period of the Indus Valley Civilization is estimated from 5000 BCE to 1500 BCE. The geographical area covered by the Indus valley civilization includes the present day vast region of Pakistan and North Western regions of India which includes Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. Thus it can be considered as the first archaeological proof of the existence of Yoga in ancient India.

Yoga in the later period of ancient era:

Buddha  depicted doing meditation in Padmasana pose
(Image courtesy: www.bodhidharma.co.in)

Yoga became an important aspect of the Sramana philosophies; Jainism & Buddhism that evolved and attained their peak around 1000 BCE and influenced the Indian schools of philosophies & art for centuries. The parallel Indian philosophical movement along with the ancient Vedic religion but separate from it, the Sramana philosophies played a vital role in the development of Yogic practices.

During this time period, Maharshi Patanjali of Vedic tradition composed the famous Yoga Sutras around 400 CE by compiling the different works on Yoga composed earlier.  The text is known as Patanjalayogashastra which is regarded as one of the authentic source of Yoga.

Yoga in modern era:

Yoga practices got almost restricted to certain people during medieval era. But after the advent of modern era in the 20^th century, Yoga evolved again due to the dedication of various Yoga Gurus of India like T. Krishnamacharya, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Kuvalayananda, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Sri Krishna Pattabhi, B.K.S Iyengar and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi that Yoga became popular not only in India but in the western world also.

The scientific aspects of Yoga are also studied through various research experiments. Thus, Yoga has now developed as a scientific discipline along with spiritual tradition. Today, Yoga is practised not only in Indi abut all over the world. The pioneers of Yoga in the present day include Baba Ramdev & Sri Sri Ravishankar of the Art of Living in India and various other worldwide.