In Vedic Sanskrit, the more commonly used, literal meaning of the Sanskrit word

yoga which is "to add", "to join", "to unite", or "to attach" from the root yuj,
already had a much more figurative sense, where the yoking or harnessing of oxe
n or horses takes on broader meanings such as "employment, use, application, per
formance" (compare the figurative uses of "to harness" as in "to put something t
o some use"). All further developments of the sense of this word are post-Vedic.
More prosaic moods such as "exertion", "endeavour", "zeal", and "diligence" are
also found in Epic Sanskrit.[19]
There are very many compound words containing yog in Sanskrit. Yoga can take on
meanings such as "connection", "contact", "method", "application", "addition", a
nd "performance". In simpler words, Yoga also means "combined". For example, gu?yoga means "contact with a cord"; chakr-yoga has a medical sense of "applying a s
plint or similar instrument by means of pulleys (in case of dislocation of the t
high)"; chandr-yoga has the astronomical sense of "conjunction of the moon with a
constellation"; pu?-yoga is a grammatical term expressing "connection or relati
on with a man", etc. Thus, bhakti-yoga means "devoted attachment" in the monothe
istic Bhakti movement. The term kriya-yoga has a grammatical sense, meaning "con
nection with a verb". But the same compound is also given a technical meaning in
the Yoga Sutras (2.1), designating the "practical" aspects of the philosophy, i
.e. the "union with the Supreme" due to performance of duties in everyday life[2
0]
According to Pa?ini, a 6th-century BCE Sanskrit grammarian, the term yoga can be
derived from either of two roots, yujir yoga (to yoke) or yuj samadhau (to conc
entrate).[21] In the context of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the root yuj samad
hau (to concentrate) is considered by traditional commentators as the correct et
ymology.[22] In accordance with Pa?ini, Vyasa who wrote the first commentary on
the Yoga Sutras,[23] states that yoga means samadhi (concentration).[24] In othe
r texts and contexts, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, th
e word yoga has been used in conformity with yujir yoge (to yoke).[25]
According to Dasgupta, the term yoga can be derived from either of two roots, yu
jir yoga (to yoke) or yuj samadhau (to concentrate).[21] Someone who practices y
oga or follows the yoga philosophy with a high level of commitment is called a y
ogi (may be applied to a male or a female) or yogini (traditionally denoting a f
emale).[26]
Goal of Yoga
The ultimate goal of Yoga is moksha (liberation) though the exact definition of
what form this takes depends on the philosophical or theological system with whi
ch it is conjugated.
According to Jacobsen, "Yoga has five principal meanings:[27]
Yoga
Yoga
Yoga
Yoga
eferring
Yoga

as
as
as
in
to
as

a disciplined method for attaining a goal;

techniques of controlling the body and the mind;
a name of one of the schools or systems of philosophy (darsana);
connection with other words, such as "hatha-, mantra-, and laya-," r
traditions specialising in particular techniques of yoga;
the goal of Yoga practice."[27]

According to David Gordon White, from the 5th century CE onward, the meanings of
the term "yoga" became more or less fixed, but having various meanings:[28]
Yoga as
Yoga as
Yoga as
Yoga as
es, and the

an analysis of perception and cognition;[28]

the rising and expansion of consciousness;[29]
a path to omniscience;[30]
a technique for entering into other bodies, generating multiple bodi
attainment of other supernatural accomplishments;[31]

Schools of Yoga
The term "yoga" has been applied to a variety of practices and methods. The well
-known Hindu schools of Yoga being Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Laya Yog
a and Hatha Yoga, but also including Jain and Buddhist practices. Yoga Sutras of
Pantajali, constitute classical Ashtanga Yoga (the eight limbs), also called Ra
ja Yoga.[32]
Buddhism
Main articles: Buddhist meditation, Dhyana in Buddhism, Yogacara and Vajrayana
Buddhist meditation encompasses a variety of meditation techniques that aim to d
evelop mindfulness, concentration, supramundane powers, tranquility, and insight
.
Core techniques have been preserved in ancient Buddhist texts and have prolifera
ted and diversified through teacher-student transmissions. Buddhists pursue medi
tation as part of the path toward Enlightenment and Nirvana.[note 2] The closest
words for meditation in the classical languages of Buddhism are bhavana[note 3]
and jhana/dhyana.[note 4] Buddhist meditation techniques have become increasing
ly popular in the wider world, with many non-Buddhists taking them up for a vari
ety of reasons.
Hinduism
Raja Yoga
Main articles: Raja yoga and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are often labelled as Raja yoga.[33] It defines yog
a as citta-v?tti-nirodha? (the cessation of the perturbations of the mind).[27]
The aim is to still the mind in order to reach Kaivalya, the "isolation" of puru
sha (the motionless consciousness "essence") from prakriti (the primordial matte
r from which everything is made, including mind and emotions).[34][35] In Hindui
sm, Raja yoga is considered as one of the six astika schools (those which accept
the authority of the Vedas)[36] of Hindu philosophy.[37] Meditation is one of t
he keys for Raja Yoga
Tantra
Main articles: Tantra, Yogi and Siddhi
Tantra is the name given by scholars to a style of meditation and ritual which a
rose in India no later than the 5th century CE.[38] The earliest documented use
of the word "Tantra" is in the Rigveda (X.71.9).[39] Tantra has influenced the H
indu, Bon, Buddhist, and Jain traditions and Silk Road transmission of Buddhism
that spread Buddhism to East and Southeast Asia.[40]
Hatha yoga
Main article: Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga, also called hatha vidya (????????), is a kind of yoga focusing on ph
ysical and mental strength building exercises and postures described primarily i
n three texts of Hinduism:[41][42][43]
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Svatmarama (15th century)
Shiva Samhita, author unknown (1500 C.E [44] or late 17th century)
Gheranda Samhita by Gheranda (late 17th century)
Many scholars also include the preceding Goraksha Samhita authored by Gorakshana
th of the 11th century in the above list.[41] Gorakshanath is widely considered
to have been responsible for popularizing hatha yoga as we know it today.[45][46
][47]
Vajrayana Buddhism, founded by the Indian Mahasiddhas,[48] has a series of asana
s and pranayamas, such as tummo (Sanskrit ca??ali)[4] and trul khor which parall

el hatha yoga.
Shaivism
Main articles: Shaivism, Shaiva Siddhanta and Nath
In Shaivism, yoga is used to unite kundalini with Shiva.[49] Mahabharata defines
the purpose of yoga as the experience of uniting the individual atman with the
universal Brahman that pervades all things.[50]