The chapter “Introduction to Yoga Texts” in Class 12 Yoga (841) provides deep insights into the foundational scriptures of Yoga, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This section includes well-structured questions and answers that help students understand the importance of yoga texts and their relevance in modern life. These Q&A are designed as per the latest CBSE syllabus to assist students in revision and exam preparation.
Introduction to Yoga Texts Class 12 Questions and Answers
TOPIC 2.1
Q.1 What is the concept of Aahara?
Answer: Food is essential for life. “Aahara” means food or diet in Sanskrit, and “Aahara” is not just “food to fill the stomach.” It is about choosing the right kind of food that not only keeps your body healthy but also keeps your mind calm and focused.
Q.2 What is a balanced diet?
Answer: A balanced diet is the one that contains all the elements of food that are needed to keep one healthy. A balanced diet can be divided into two parts: the macronutrients and micronutrients.
Q.3 What are the macronutrients?
Answer: Macronutrients cover principally three components, namely carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Carbohydrates and fat provide energy and heat. Proteins are crucial for the building of tissues, maintenance of the cellular integrity, and functioning of the cells.
Q.4 What are the micronutrients?
Answer: The micronutrients comprise vitamins and minerals. They maintain tissues and regulate functions of the body. They also enhance the utilization of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats by the body.
Q.5 What is a sattvic diet?
Answer: Sattvic is a vegetarian diet based on Ayurvedic principles like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, and cooked food.
Q.6. Explain the rajasic diet.
Answer: “Rajasic” comes from the Sanskrit word “rajas.” Rajasic foods in Ayurveda are considered a blend of pure and impure foods, like fried foods, excessive spices, tea, coffee, and sugary items.
Q.7. Explain the tamasic diet.
Answer: Tamasic Aahara are those foods that can create problems in physical or mental well-being, like overcooked food, processed food, meat, alcohol, or preserved food.
Q.8 Explain apathy/unwholesome food.
Answer: The foods that are restricted (for the yogi) are those that are sour, bitter, salty, heating, green vegetables (other than those ordained), oil, sesame and mustard, alcohol, fish, flesh foods, curds, buttermilk, oil cakes, and garlic.
Q.9 What is pathya/wholesome food?
Answer: The most helpful food for the yogi is known as pathya, like grains, wheat, rice, milk, ghee, sugar sweets (solidified sugar), dry ginger, natural products (types of cucumber), five vegetables,pulses, and pure water.
Q.10. Explain the effect of mitahara.
Answer: Mitahara, which means “moderate eating” in Sanskrit, is more than a diet. It is a yogic principle that blends nutrition with mindfulness. Practicing mitahara can have many good effects on both body and mind.
TOPIC-2.2
Q.1. Describe the significance of hatha yoga practices in health problems.
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 is a powerful method to make your body and mind strong, healthy, and peaceful. Hatha yoga is helpful for:
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Improves sleep
- Supports emotional resilience
TOPIC-2.3
Q.1. Describe the concept of mental well-being according to Patanjali yoga.
Answer: Mental health is an important component of overall health and well-being. Yoga is known to play a remarkable role in the improvement of mental health as well as in the treatment and prevention of mental (psychological) health-related problems. Patanjali’s yoga sutras start with the idea of ‘cittavrti nirodha,’ enlightening the importance of controlling the mind.
Q.2. Explain the causes of faulty mental health according to Patanjali Yoga Sutras.
Answer: Maharshi Patañjali defines yoga as ‘yogah cittavrti nirodhah.’ He described various therapeutic aspects in his yoga sutras. We can begin with these concepts for promotive, curative, and preventive aspects in relation to mental well-being. Patañjali explains the disturbance of the mind and the development of disease (vyadhi), their symptoms, and the process to overcome them.
Q.3. Describe the effects of cittavikshepa.
Answer: Maharshi Patanjali precisely explains the effects of the obstacles on mental health as pain (Dukha), depression (Daurmanasya), trembling of the body (Angamejayatva), and irregular breathing (Shvasprashvasa) are the major symptoms of mental distraction (Cittavikshepa.)
Q.4 What are the steps for promoting mental modifications of health?
Answer: Steps for promoting mental modification of health Yoga practice is being promoted for its high potential for prevention of illness and promotion of health.
- Cultivate Self-Awareness: Practice mindfulness and meditation to observe your thoughts without judgment.
- Maintain Physical Health: Regular exercise boosts endorphins and reduces stress.
- Foster Social Connections: Meaningful relationships provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Manage Stress Effectively: Use techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga.
- Embrace Positive Psychology: Practice gratitude daily—it rewires the brain toward optimism.
Q.5 According to Patanjali, what is Ashtanga yoga?
Answer: Ashtanga Yoga is a mode of yoga that consists of eight limbs or steps, i.e., Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahar, Dharna, Dhyana, and Samadhi, which have been found to control the mental modification, thereby helping in attaining good health.
Topic 2.4
Q.1 Explain all parts of bahiranga yoga.
Answer: Ashtanga Yoga, described by Maharshi Patanjali, which means “Eight-Limbed Path.” This eight-limbed path has eight steps that guide a person toward physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The first five limbs—Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara—constitute Bahiranga Yoga.
Q.2. Describe all parts of Ashtanga yoga.
Answer: Ashtanga Yoga, described by Maharshi Patanjali, which means “Eight-Limbed Path.” This eight-limbed path has eight steps that guide a person toward physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Dharna, Dhyana, and Samadhi constitute the formation of Antaranga Yoga.
TOPIC-2.5
Q.1. Explain the concept of healthy living described in the Bhagavad Gita.
Answer: The Bhagavad Gita is a Sanskrit text derived from the Mahabharata epic. The Bhagavad Gita includes eighteen chapters. The following three types of yoga in particular have been highlighted in the Bhagavad Gita:
- Bhakti Yoga (Yoga for Devotion) is summarized as a mode of worship that involves continuous and loving remembrance of God.
- Karma Yoga (Yoga for Selfless Action): works are done without attachment to the results. It is highlighted by many as the ideal path for self-realization.
- Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Self-Transcending Knowledge) is a path to achieve the true knowledge about the self.
Q.2 Explain the following types of yoga:
a) Bhakti yoga
b) Karma yoga
c) Jnana yoga
Answer: The explanations of the following types of yoga are
- a) Bhakti yoga: Bhakti yoga (yoga for devotion) is summarized as a mode of worship that involves continuous and loving remembrance of God.
- b) Karma yoga: Karma yoga (yoga for selfless action) works are done without attachment to the results. It is highlighted by many as the ideal path for self-realization.
- c) Janana yoga: Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Self-Transcending Knowledge) is a path to achieve the true knowledge about the self.
Q.3 Explain the following:
a) Yoga means equanimity?
b. How is yoga a skill action? Describe?
c) How does yoga dedicate the divine qualities?
Answer:
a) Yoga means equanimity?
Answer: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna beautifully defines yoga as “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” (समत्वम् योग उच्यते), meaning “equanimity is yoga.” Yoga is not just about posture or breathing; it is about keeping the mind calm and balanced in any situation, like in success or failure, joy or sorrow, and gain or loss. The balanced state is called Samatvam, and it is a true yoga.
b. How is yoga a skill action? Describe?
Answer: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says “Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam” (योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्), which means “Yoga is skill in action.” It means that true yoga is not just about sitting in meditation or doing postures; it is the art and science of healthy living. Yoga helps you practice calmness in mind, and you are able to concentrate on one thing. You can understand something and make decisions with the right knowledge at the ideal time. Whatever work you do will be fruitful when you do it with dedication and commitment.
c) How does yoga dedicate the divine qualities?
Answer: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna speaks about divine qualities (Daive Sampad), which means a person toward peace, self-realization, and liberation. These qualities help us live with humanity, humility, and harmony.
TOPIC-2.6
Q. Explain the following:
a) Physical health
b) Mental health
c) Social health
d) Spiritual health
Answer:
a) Physical health
Answer: The health of the body is of fundamental importance in life. To preserve and restore health, there are asanas, pranayama, and relaxation techniques. Physical development affects the whole life. It is the basis of all developments. All other developments depend upon it. Physical development relates to the structure of the body, height, weight ratio of the body, anatomical and physiological development of all internal and external organs, the nervous system, various physiological conditions, and general conditions of health.
b) Mental health
Answer: Mental health is an important component of overall health and well-being. It can be defined as a state of psychological and emotional well-being in which an individual is able to use learning abilities, can function practically and fruitfully in society, and can meet the ordinary demands of everyday life.
c) Social health
Answer: Social health is simply to be happy within and to be able to make others happy. It intends to nurture authentic contact and communication with other people, to accept the responsibility within society, and to work for the community.
d) Spiritual health
Answer: The fundamental principle of spiritual life and the highest precept of humanity are AHIMSA-PARAMO-DHARMA. This principle teaches us non-violence in thoughts, words, feelings, and actions. Prayer, meditation, mantra, positive thinking, and tolerance lead to spiritual health and well-being.
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