Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Volume XII: Yoga: India’s Philosophy of Meditation

Part One examines the history and literature of Yoga, the emergence of Sāṃkhya and Yoga as systems of thought, possible Buddhist influences, the composition and chronology of the Yogasūtra, and the identity of Patañjali. It then analyzes the philosophy of Pātañjala Yoga through its materialism, dualism, distinctive conception of Īśvara, samādhi, kriyāyoga, the eight limbs of Yoga, saṃyama, extraordinary cognitive capacities (vibhūti, siddhi), and spiritual liberation (kaivalya). Separate sections address Haṭha Yoga, Pāśupata, Pāñcarātra, Kāpālika, Kālamukha, Nātha, Kaula, and contemporary Yoga movements.

Part Two provides scholarly summaries of a large corpus of Yoga texts, beginning with the Yogasūtra and its classical commentaries and extending through Haṭha Yoga literature and the Yoga Upaniṣads. The work therefore combines intellectual history, textual bibliography, philosophical interpretation, and detailed source summaries, providing a comprehensive research framework for the study of Yoga as philosophy, meditation, and disciplined practice.

Table of Contents – Main Sections

• In Memoriam — Dr. Ram Shankar Bhattacharya (1927–1996)

• Preface

• Part One: The Philosophy of Yoga

  • The History and Literature of Yoga

  • The Philosophy of Pātañjala Yoga

  • The Haṭha Yoga System and Other Satellite/Sectarian Yoga Traditions in India

  • Contemporary Yoga Movements

• Part Two: Summaries of Works

  • Texts: Pātañjala Yoga Traditions

  • Texts: The Haṭha Yoga System and Other Satellite Traditions of Yoga

• Appendix: Some Additional Texts

  • Yogavāsiṣṭha

  • Yoga Upaniṣads

• End Notes

• List of Works Cited

• Glossary-Index