If you are searching for “what is yoga according to Yoga Vasistha”, you are likely looking beyond postures, breathing techniques, and physical fitness. Yoga Vasistha offers one of the deepest and most radical definitions of yoga found in Indian spiritual literature—a definition that is entirely psychological, philosophical, and liberating.
This article explains what yoga truly means according to Yoga Vasistha, why this understanding is fundamentally different from modern yoga concepts, and how you can study this wisdom clearly through a modern, reader-friendly book.
The Core Definition of Yoga in Yoga Vasistha
According to Yoga Vasistha, yoga is not a physical discipline.
Yoga is defined as:
Mastery of the mind through right understanding of reality.
In Yoga Vasistha, yoga means freedom from mental conditioning, not flexibility of the body.
Yoga Is Not Practice—It Is Understanding
One of the most revolutionary teachings of Yoga Vasistha is this:
Liberation does not come from practice alone, but from clarity of knowledge.
Yoga, therefore, is not something you do—
It is something you realize.
Yoga Vasistha repeatedly states that:
- The mind alone is bondage
- The mind alone is liberation
- When the mind sees reality clearly, yoga is already accomplished
Yoga as Freedom from the Mind
In Yoga Vasistha, the mind is the root of all experience.
When the mind:
- Projects fear → suffering arises
- Projects desire → restlessness arises
- Projects identity → limitation arises
Yoga is the cessation of false mental projections.
This does not mean stopping thoughts forcefully.
It means seeing their unreality through wisdom.
Yoga Is Living Without Inner Conflict
According to Yoga Vasistha, a yogi is not someone who withdraws from life.
A true yogi:
- Acts fully in the world
- Performs duties naturally
- Lives without inner resistance
- Remains inwardly free
Yoga is effortless alignment with reality, not escape from responsibility.
Yoga Is Detachment Without Renunciation
Unlike many paths that emphasize renunciation, Yoga Vasistha teaches:
- You do not need to abandon the world
- You only need to abandon misunderstanding
Yoga is:
- Seeing pleasure and pain with equal clarity
- Experiencing life without psychological entanglement
- Remaining established in awareness while acting normally
This is why Yoga Vasistha is considered one of the most practical non-dual teachings ever written.
Yoga Is Seeing the World as It Is
Yoga Vasistha explains that the world appears real due to mental conditioning.
Yoga means:
- Recognizing the world as experienced reality, not absolute reality
- Understanding that suffering arises from interpretation, not events
- Seeing consciousness as the foundation of all experience
This vision transforms life without changing circumstances.
Yoga Is Liberation Here and Now
According to Yoga Vasistha:
- Liberation is not after death
- Liberation is not in another world
- Liberation is not the result of time
Liberation is clear seeing in the present moment.
Yoga is therefore:
Freedom while living, not freedom after leaving life.
Why Yoga Vasistha’s Definition of Yoga Is Unique
| Modern Yoga | Yoga According to Yoga Vasistha |
|---|---|
| Physical postures | Mental clarity |
| Discipline of body | Understanding of reality |
| Practice-oriented | Knowledge-oriented |
| Technique-based | Insight-based |
| Time-bound progress | Immediate recognition |
This makes Yoga Vasistha timeless and universally relevant.
A Clear and Modern Guide to Yoga Vasistha
Essence of Yoga Vasistha: The Book of Liberation
Many readers want to understand Yoga Vasistha but struggle because traditional texts are:
- Extremely long
- Highly repetitive
- Written in dense classical language
That is why Dr. Surabhi Solanki authored:
Essence of Yoga Vasistha: The Book of Liberation
This book presents:
- The true definition of yoga according to Yoga Vasistha
- Clear modern English
- Faithful Advaita Vedanta insight
- Practical relevance for daily life
- A direct path to inner freedom without rituals or techniques
It is ideal for:
- Spiritual seekers
- Yoga practitioners seeking depth
- Readers tired of surface-level spirituality
- Anyone seeking liberation through understanding
Why This Book Matters Today
In a world overwhelmed by:
- Anxiety
- Overthinking
- Burnout
- Endless self-improvement techniques
Yoga Vasistha reminds us:
You are not broken—you are misunderstanding yourself.
Essence of Yoga Vasistha corrects that misunderstanding gently and clearly.
Final Answer: What Is Yoga According to Yoga Vasistha?
✔ Yoga is freedom from mental conditioning
✔ Yoga is clarity of perception
✔ Yoga is living fully without inner bondage
✔ Yoga is liberation through knowledge
Yoga is not something to be added to life.
Yoga is the removal of what was never true.
Continue Your Journey
If this understanding resonates with you,
Essence of Yoga Vasistha: The Book of Liberation is a natural next step—offering timeless wisdom in a form suited for the modern mind.
True yoga begins when misunderstanding ends.
Dr Surabhi Solanki 