The chapter Introduction to Yoga Texts in Class 11 explores the ancient and foundational scriptures that form the basis of yoga philosophy. Students learn about the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and Hatha Yoga Pradipika—each highlighting unique aspects of yogic wisdom and practice.
Introduction to Yoga Texts Class 11 NCERT Solutions
TOPIC – 2.1
1. Describe the Patanjali Yoga Sutras.
Answer: The Yoga Sutras is a special book written by Sage Patanjali that explains how to practice yoga using the correct method. Even yoga is mentioned in other ancient texts; Patanjali was the Sant who put all the ideas together into a clear system. The Yoga Sutra book has 195 short sutras. These sutras are easy to remember and full of wisdom. It is divided into four parts.
2. Write about samadhi pada.
Answer: Samadhi Pada is the first chapter of the Yoga Sutras. It defines that the purpose of yoga and various approaches that can be used to achieve the objectives of yoga are provided.
3. What is sadhana pada?
Answer: Sadhana pada is the second chapter of yoga sutra; it contains a practical approach to achieving the goals of yoga. In this chapter, the author gives a description of the eight limbs of yoga called Ashtanga Yoga.
4. What do you mean by vibhuti pada?
Answer: Vidhuti pada is the third chapter of the Yoga Sutra, which focuses on some of the supernatural powers that an adept yogi may be able to attain.
5. Elaborate about the kaivalya pada?
Answer: Kaivalya Pada is the fourth chapter of the Yoga Sutra, which includes the nature of the mind and mental perceptions, desire, bondage and liberation, and what follows it.
6. Describe Ashtanga yoga (8 limbs of yoga).
Answer: Yoga is like a step-by-step path that helps us live better, calm the mind and connect deeply within. Patanjali gave us eight parts of this journey:
- Yamas (self-restraints): How to behave with others—be honest, be kind, have self-control, etc.
- Niyamas (observances): How to take care of ourselves, like keeping clean, staying happy, and working hard.
- Asana (posture): Sit comfortably to stay focused.
- Pranayama (breath control): Breathe in a slow and controlled way to calm your body and mind.
- Pratyahara (sense withdrawal): Learn to ignore outside distractions and turn your attention inward.
- Dharana (concentration/focus): Practice focusing your mind on one thing, like a candle flame or your breath.
- Dhyana (meditation): Meditate deeply so your mind stays quiet and calm.
- Samadhi (total absorption): Reach a state of total peace, where you feel connected and free from worries.
7. Write in detail the 10 principles of yoga.
Answer: The 10 principles of yoga are
- Non-violence (Ahimsa)
- Truthfulness (Satya)
- Righteousness (Asteya)
- Wisdom (Brahmacharya)
- Simplicity (Aparigraha)
- Sacrifice the ego (Shaucha).
- Contentment (Santosha)
- Self-discipline (Tanas)
- Reading (Svadhyaya)
- Worship of the spiritual goal (Ishvara-pranidhana)
TOPIC – 2.2
1. Describe the Bhagavad Gita.
Answer: The Bhagavad Gita is India’s great epic. The Bhagavad Gita is a “Song of the Lord” Krishna. The Mahabharata tells the story of a war between the Pandavas and Kauravas, fighting over the kingdom of Hastinapura. Just before the war begins, the warrior Arjuna feels hopeless and refuses to fight. Lord Krishna teaches Arjun regarding the truth of life and what his responsibility is; this conversation makes up the Gita.
2. How many chapters are there in the Bhagavad Gita?
Answer: There are eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita classified as “Yogas,” beginning with Arjuna’s depression and ending with the yoga of “liberation through renunciation.”
3. In Mahabharat, which two families fought together in war? Name them.
Answer: The Mahabharata tells the story of a war between the Pandavas and Kauravas, fighting over the kingdom of Hastinapura.
4. In which place did the Mahabharat war start?
Answer: The Mahabharata war began in Kurukshetra, a region in present-day Haryana in India. It was a battlefield for the epic war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas over the throne of Hastinapur.
5. Write down the names of all the Pandavas.
Answer: The names of the Pandavas are Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva.
6. Write down the names of both people who debated on Geeta.
Answer: The two main figures who were engaged in the famous spiritual and philosophical dialogue in the Bhagavad Gita are Lord Krishna and Arjuna.
7. For how many days did the Mahabharat war last?
Answer: The Mahabharata, also known as the Kurukshetra War, lasted for 18 days.
8. For how many days did the Pandavas survive in the jungle?
Answer: The Pandavas survived in the jungle for 13 years after losing their kingdom.
9. Why did Arjun refuse to go to war?
Answer: The Arjun refused the war due to emotion and moral confusion when he saw his relatives, teachers, and friends on both sides and was filled with sorrow and compassion.
10. What did Krishna say about making Arjun ready for a war?
Answer: Lord Krishna helps Arjuna to overcome his doubts and fears on the battlefield of Kurukshetra by sharing the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
TOPIC- 2.3
1. Describe Hatha yoga.
Answer: The word ‘Hatha’ is made up of two words, ‘Ha’ and ‘Tha.’ In which ‘Ha’ means prana shakti, the most important force, and ‘Tha’ means the shakti of the mind (mental force). Hatha yoga means the union of body and mind energies. It aims to balance these two forces to bring harmony and prepare the body for higher spiritual practices.
2. Elaborate Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Answer: These texts have been written by Yoga Swatmarama, also known as Sahajananda Chintamani. The title ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ can be translated as ‘Light on Hatha Yoga.’ Pradipika stands for illuminating the self. Hence, it can be said that it is a kind of text that illuminates various aspects of an individual, like the physical, mental & spiritual aspects.
This text contains 390 shlokas divided into four chapters.
- The first chapter consists of 67 verses and deals with Asana.
- Chapter two consists of 78 verses and deals with Shatkarma & Pranayama.
- Chapter three has 130 verses and discusses Mudra and Bandha.
- Chapter four contains 114 verses and discusses Samadhi.
TOPIC-2.4
1. Describe Gheranda Samhita
Answer: Gheranda Samhita is an old book about yoga. It is written as a talk between Sage Gheranda (the teacher) and Chandakapali (his student). Ghatastha Yoga means improving the whole body and mind—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually too. The body is treated like a vessel (ghata) that must be cleaned and prepared for spiritual growth.
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