Vedantic Foundations of Yoga: Exploring the Philosophical Underpinnings of Union

Abstract

This paper examines the profound philosophical foundations that Vedanta provides for yoga practice and understanding. Through systematic analysis of classical Vedantic texts, particularly the Upanishads and major philosophical commentaries, this study explores how Vedantic concepts of ultimate reality, consciousness, and the nature of self inform and enrich yogic practice. The research demonstrates that Vedantic philosophy provides essential metaphysical and epistemological frameworks that clarify yoga's ultimate purpose as the realization of fundamental unity between individual consciousness (Atman) and universal consciousness (Brahman). Key findings reveal that while yoga practices are often understood primarily through physical or psychological frameworks, their deepest significance emerges through Vedantic understanding of non-dual reality. The study examines three major Vedantic schools—Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita—and their different approaches to understanding union, while highlighting how these philosophical perspectives inform diverse yogic paths. The research contributes to contemporary discussions about yoga's spiritual dimensions by demonstrating that Vedantic philosophy provides essential context for understanding yoga as a comprehensive system for realizing fundamental truth rather than merely a practice for physical or mental wellness. This philosophical foundation remains relevant for contemporary practitioners seeking deeper understanding of yoga's transformative potential and its relationship to ultimate reality.