Page 11 - Lesson 1.xps

Introduction and Historical Development MODULE-1
Concept of Physical
Education and Yog
1.4.1 Pre-vedic Period (6000-3000 BC)

Indus valley civilization reveals that different forms of yog were practiced in
those periods. Several seals were discovered at Indus Valley civilization (3300-
1700 BC) sites depicting figures in yog – or meditation-like posture.Archaeologist
points to 16 specific “yogic poses”. The idols as well as statues, which were
found in excavation, depict various yog postures. The language used in Indus
valley civilisation is still unknown to us, but still it is sure on the basis of idols
that yog was performed during that period. Note

DO YOU KNOW ?

The definition of an archaeologist: A person who studies human history,
particularly the culture of historic and prehistoric people, through discovery
and exploration of remains, structures and writings.

1.4.2 Vèdic Period (2000-1500 BC)
The study of Vèdas reveals that there were some partially developed concepts of
yog in this period. Vèdas do not directly mention the word ‘yogis’ or ‘yog’. In
Rigvèda the usage of word ‘Yunjate’ suggests an idea of yog for sense control.

1.4.3 Upanishadic Period (800-200 BC)

In the Upnishads, an early reference to meditation is made in Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad. The main textual sources for the evolving concept of Yog are the
middle Upanishads, the Mahabharata including Bhagwadgita and the yog sutras
of Patanjali. Many examples of the concept and terminology of yog appear in
the upnishads.

1.4.4 Epic Period

Epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata are the important sources of information
about the yogic practice in that era. The Sage, Vishwamitra taught, Ram and
Lakshmana, the art of yog and prāńāyāma. Lord Krishna narrated yog to his
disciple Arjuna in the battlefield. The term ‘yog’ has been used in BhagwadGita
in a variety of senses – Karma yog (the yog of action), Bhakti yog (the yog of
devotion and Jnana yog (the yog of knowledge).

1.4.5 Sutra Period

All the credit goes to Patanjali, who gave us the present literary form of yog in
‘Yogsutra’ approximately in 147 B.C. The Yogsutra is divided into four books.
He explained eight parts of yog, such as Yama, Niyama, Asanas, Prāńāyāma,
Pratyāhāra, Dharna, Dhyana and Samadhi.

Physical Education and Yog
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