On 3/10/2014 12:02 PM, Bhairitu wrote: > Yoga means "union". > Yoga means the *isolation* of the Purusha from the prakriti - not a "union" of the two. The word "yoga" is derived from the root word yuj, which means to harness, pertaining to the act of harnessing. Thus we read in Rig Veda of horses that are harnessed to the chariots of the gods such as Indra. It is worth noting that despite the existence of the Latin noun jugum (English 'yoke') from the same Indo-European sources, yoga has never meant 'yoke' in Sanskrit or in India the tranquil operation of 'yoking' oxen evokes a peaceful, pleasant way of life that has nothing in common with yoga.
For the yoke is something used by vaishyas and shudras, whereas the harnessing of horses is a task for kshatriyas. The last point becomes even clearer when we know that the chariots (ratha) we read about in Rig Veda are always military vehicles. Such contexts have the advantage of emphasizing action and restraint that have remained fundamental throughout Indian history. It is from such a battle chariot that Krishna, as the driver, instructs Arjuna in Yoga - from a harnessed chariot, not from a yoked beast of burden on the farm.
