Vedas

There are four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism.
They also had a vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Traditionally the text of the Vedas was coeval with the
universe. Scholars have determined that the Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and
codified about 600 B.C. It is unknown when it was finally committed to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300
B.C.

The Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Along with the Book of the Dead, the Enuma Elish,
the I Ching, and the Avesta, they are among the most ancient religious texts still in existence. Besides their spiritual value,
they also give a unique view of everyday life in India four thousand years ago. The Vedas are also the most ancient extensive
texts in an Indo-European language, and as such are invaluable in the study of comparative linguistics.

The word ‘Veda’ came from the Sanskrit root Vid (to know) which means knowledge. The Hindus consider the Vedas to be revealed books

and give them the titles of Apaurusheya (not made by man) and Nitya (Eternal).

The Vedas were passed from one generation to the other through verbal transmission and are therefore also known as shruti (to hear) or

Revelation.

Of the four vedas,:

1- The Rig-Veda is the oldest religious text in the world. The Rig-Veda consists of 1017 hymns (Suktas) and supplemented by 11 others

called valakhilyas. It is divided into 10 books or mandates Rig-veda is purely a religious work, and most of the hymns are all

invocations to the gods. These were recited at the time of sacrificial rites and other rituals with utmost devotion.

2- The Sam-Veda, derived from the root Saman, i.e. melody is a ‘collection of melodies.’ Also called the ‘Book of Chants’, the origins of

Indian music are traced to it. It contains of 1810, or 1549 hymns, if one omits the repetitions. With the exception of 75 hymns the rest

of have been taken from the Rig-veda and are meant to be sung at the time of the Soma sacrifice.

3-[2-] The Yajur-Veda or ‘The Book of Sacrificial Prayers’ is a ritual text as it consists of various mantras (hymns) for the purpose of

recitation and rules to be observed at the time of sacrifice. In contrast to the first two (Rig-veda and Sama Veda) which are in verse

entirely, this one is in both verse and prose. There are two main texts of Yajurveda:- Krisha Yajur Veda (Black) and Sukla Yajur Veda

(White).

4-[3-] The Sama Veda has Tandyamaha and Jaiminiya Brahmanas. The Tandyamaha Brahmana, is one of the oldest and contains many

legends, and includes the Vratyastoma, a ceremony through which people of non-Aryan stock could be admitted into the Aryan fold.
The Upanishads:

The term Upanishad literally implies “sitting near”. Hence its original meaning is the sitting down of the initiated pupil near the teacher
or Guru for the purpose of a confidential communication of the secret doctrine. The Upanishads are a continuation of the Vedic
philosophy, and were written between 800 and 400 B.C. They elaborate on how the soul (Atman) can be united with the
ultimate truth (Brahman) through contemplation and mediation, as well as the doctrine of Karma-- the cumulative effects of a
persons' actions.

They are the philosophical texts dealing with topics like the Universal Soul, the Absolute, the individual self, the origin of the world, the
mysteries of nature and so on. They criticise the rituals and lay stress on the value of right belief and knowledge.

The Upanishads mark the culmination of Indian thought in the Vedic period. There are 108 Upanishads which were written by various saints and

sages between 800 and 500 B.C. The language of these Upanishads is classical Sanskrit and not the Vedic Sanskrit.

In addition to the Vedangas, we have four Upavedas or subsidiary Vedas. They are Ayurveda which deals with medicine, Dhanur veda which

deals with the art of warfare, Gandharva veda which deals with the art of music and Shilpa veda which deals with architecture.
Yogsutras of Patanjali

Many sacred ancient texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita, mentioned yoga. However, none of the other sacred
ancient texts specialized in the philosophy of yoga like the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali.

It is said tha Lord Shiva, the Adiyogi or first yogi, shared yoga with the Sapta Rishis( seven sages) who then created seven basic schools of
yoga.

Patanjali brought back and connected the pieces so the authentic meaning of yoga could shine by channeling his talent of Sanskrit and creating
the Yoga Sutras. While the sutras are often associated with classical Raja, or royal, yoga, the philosophy and teachings are a source of
inspiration and elevate the spirit of all yogis.

History of Maharishi Patanjali

Maharishi Patanjali is a saint who is believed to have lived some time during the 2nd century BCE. Known for his treatise on Yoga, entitled
“Patanjali Yoga Sutra”, he was not only an authority on the Science of Yoga, but was also a scientist and a doctor whose clarity and wisdom was
remarkable.

Even though he is considered the father of modern yoga, Patanjali appeared to prefer anonymity. The history surrounding his life is mostly
speculation.

The sutras, meaning threads, are elegant, succinct threads of knowledge that allow you to explore the essential core meaning of yoga. There is
some debate around if yogis can obtain the same benefits from English translations of the sutras, or whether they should be read in the original
Sanskrit. The sutras are divided into four chapters, or padas: samadhi, sadhana, vibhuti, and kaivalya.

Samadhi Pada
The first chapter is about enlightenment, focusing on concentration and meditation.

The 51 sutras discuss the process to become One. The sutras define yoga, obstacles to achieving yoga, the purpose of yoga, the importance of
abhyasa (constant practice), and vairagya (detachment from material experiences).

Sadhana Pada
The second chapter is about the practice. The Yamas and Eight-Limbed system of yoga are introduced.

The 54/55 sutras outline Karma, Kriya yoga, Ashtanga yoga, and the first six parts of the Eight Limbs of Yoga are discussed in-depth.

Vibhuti Pada
The third chapter is about the results, power, and manifestation once union is achieved.

The 56 sutras clarify the last two Limbs, dhyana and samahdi, as well as introduce the power of simultaneously activating the last three limbs.
The chapter begins to highlight the ability of yoga to empower the mind.

Kaivalya Pada
The last chapter is about liberation, or moksha. The 34 sutras clarify liberation and what is achieved by the mind. This final chapter is devoted to
complete, unconditional, and absolute liberation.

While reading all of the sutras is suggested, reading and making one sutra pure in your life is enough. The sutras are tools to foster the inner
experience and elevate the spirit. Practice leads to wisdom and the ability to allow the inner light to guide the present moment, or atha.