Philosophy of Yoga in Ancient Tamil Literature
International Research Journal of Tamil February 28, 2022 K Sarweshwaran
Yoga philosophy appears in ancient Tamil literature, including works like Purananuru, Paripadal, and Thirumurukaaruppadai, where yoga is understood in multiple senses—sometimes as union with the Lord, sometimes as separation from the world. The eight limbs of yoga (Iyam, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratiyakaram, Dharana, Meditation, Samadhi) are discussed in these texts. This review argues that ideas about yoga philosophy in ancient Tamil literature parallel those found in Northern language literatures, drawing on primary sources such as Tolkappiyam, Thirukkural, and Silappathikaram Kunrakkuravai.