A Concise Historiography of Classical Yoga Philosophy.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) June 19, 2023 Philipp A. Maas 33 citations
The article examines how the history of classical Yoga philosophy has been written, arguing that existing historiographies often impose Western periodization schemes that distort the indigenous development of Yoga thought. It traces the evolution of scholarly approaches from early Orientalist accounts through modern critical historiography, highlighting how assumptions about linear progress and religious vs. philosophical categories have shaped interpretations. The author advocates for a more nuanced, context-sensitive historiography that respects the internal logic and textual traditions of classical Yoga, particularly the Yoga Sūtras and their commentaries, without forcing them into alien frameworks.