Science and Philosophy of Yoga (according to the Bhagavad Gita)
In the global landscape of modern practice, Yoga is often reduced to physical postures (Asanas). However, the Bhagavad Gita presents Yoga as a comprehensive Science and Philosophy—a "Para-Vidya" or Supreme Knowledge.
Under the guidance of Pedro Nonell, a Spanish expert in the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, and the teachings of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, this study explores the synergy between the scientific structure of the Gita and the technical aphorisms of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
By viewing Yoga as a spiritual science, we bridge the gap between Western objective research and the profound subjective reality discovered by the ancient Rishis, ultimately leading to self-realization and the restoration of Dharma.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali / Bhagavad Gita
Science of Yoga (Bhagavad Gita) Para-Vidya, Philosophy Raja Yoga and Patanjali
Good afternoon, Namaste! Let's reflect a little on “Science or philosophy of Yoga?” as set forth in the Bhagavad Gita.
In the Western environment of Yoga, we usually talk about the philosophy of Yoga, when it refers to the study of everything beyond Asanas. Virtually all yoga teacher training programs talk about yoga philosophy, and almost all of them mostly include the study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali or Raja Yoga, and very few the study of the Bhagavad Gita.
I prefer to talk about “Science and Philosophy of Yoga”, based on the study of the Bhagavad Gita, and that synergizes with the “Philosophy of Yoga” based on Raja Yoga and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Below I will make some brief reflections to explain why I consider it as a Para-Vidya science:
- The Science of Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita
- Gita, Raja Yoga and Patanjali
- Gita: a Para-Vidya science (Spiritual Science)
I believe that a Yoga Teacher should know both Raja Yoga or Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita, not only to be a better human being and teacher, but also to be able to transmit this wisdom to his students and help them on their spiritual path.
Knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita would allow a yoga practitioner, beyond the Asanas, to explore its deep wisdom and thus help them in their self-knowledge and liberation as well as help them find their Dharma.
The Science of Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita
All chapters of the Bhagavad Gita end with a reference to the “Science of Yoga”, such as:
“Thus concludes the third chapter entitled Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action) in the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, on the science of yoga, as part of the knowledge of Brahman in the Upanishad known as the Bhagavad Gita”
And let us remember that in chapter 4- The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action of the Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu incarnates in Krishna to reestablish Dharma. That is to say, it is the Lord Himself who affirms that the Bhagavad Gita is a science of yoga.
In chapter 9- The Yoga of Royal and Discriminatory Knowledge, a significant title, Krishna states:
That is, this “real Knowledge” imparted by the Lord is the “King of Sciences” and is also immutable since it is the very essence of Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita is Yoga-Shastra
Bhagavad Gita, Raja Yoga and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
I am going to make some initial considerations about the Bhagavad Gita, Raja Yoga and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
The Bhagavad Gita is a “Moksha Shastra”, a book of liberation and self-knowledge, where Vishnu incarnates in Sri Krishna, to restore Dharma that is being threatened by the civil war of the Mahabharata, and transmit this wisdom to each and everyone. one of us through Arjuna
- Both the Bhagavad Gita and the Sutras are Yoga Shastra (authoritative texts)
- Therefore, the Bhagavad Gita is considered as “Shruti” or divine knowledge revealed to the Rishis, that is, its authorship does not belong to any human being. The Yoga Sutras are considered as Smriti
- Both Vedanta, Raja Yoga and Kapila's Samkhya philosophy are considered “Shat darshana”, that is, all three are orthodox Hindu philosophies
- The Bhagavad Gita was compiled by the sage Viasa long before the work of Patanjali (3rd century BC) and Raja Yoga
- Kapila's Sankhya Philosophy is one of the pillars of both the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2) and Raja Yoga and Patanjali. Concept like Gunas, Prakriti, Ishvara, Pranayama, Dhyana, Samadhi or Purusha are common in these Yogas
- One of the characteristics of the Bhagavad Gita is its harmonizing nature, stating that any of the yogas defined in the Bhagavad Gita (Sankhya, Dhyana, Jnana, Bhakti, Karma Yoga..) are valid
- The Bhagavad Gita accepts both dualistic and non-dualistic systems (Advaita Vedanta). While the Sankhya is dualistic, Patanjali even believed in a Personal God. Adi Shankara considered the Samkhya doctrine to be totally opposite to Advaita Vedanta
- In the eight stages of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, focused on Raja Yoga, he already suggests the practice of five ethical exercises: Ahimsa, truthfulness, non-stealing, pure living and non-coveting. All the Yamas and Niyamas are perfectly reflected in the Bhagavad Gita
Swami Vivekananda, disciple of , stated that this “spiritual science” defined in the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, focused on the scientific study of subjective reality (that is, what “can neither be seen nor touched”, in the infinite), unlike materialist Western science that did it in objective reality (what we can see, perceive, and experience, that is, in the finite).
Para-Vidya as spiritual science
The Hindu Rishis have developed this spiritual science or Para-vidya, while the West has developed the finite science Apara-vidya.
In Shlokas (Verses) 2 and 3 of Chapter 13, the Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation of the Bhagavad Gita the Lord explains to Arjuna what true Knowledge is:
“Sri Krishna: This body is called the Field (Kshetra), and he who knows it
is called the Knower of the Field (Kshetrajnana) by the sages who discern the truth about both.
Know me as Kshetrajna (Knower of the Field) in all the Kshetras (bodies); the knowledge of Kshetra and Kshetrajna is the true Knowledge, according to My
opinion..”
The objective (finite) knowledge centered on the study of the body (Shetra) is Apara-vidya. The subjective knowledge (“the true Knowledge” of the previous verse) of the Science of Yoga is Para-vidya and enables self-realization, knowledge of the Atman, and Union with the Lord.
Verse 29 of Chapter 6 the Yoga of Meditation explains how the yogi sees the unity of all beings
In Chapter 10 the Yoga of Divine Glories, verse 32 We find this “Science of the Self” or Adhyatmavidya (the Science of the spirituality or of Knowledge of the Self), also called the Science of all Sciences (sarva-vidya pratishtha) in the Upanishads:
“Sri Krishna: ..Of all sciences, I am the Science of Being, and in debates I am reason” Bhagavad Gita 10.32”
Furthermore, in any debate, whether scientific or philosophical, the Lord is “reason.”
The wisdom of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda stated that religion is as scientific as science. In the many books, essays and speeches that he gave in the United States, England and India, he always referred to the fact that the model based on Western science plus Hindu spirituality was the most suitable for the world.
This spiritual science raised a series of hypotheses thousands of years ago, and throughout this time, in one way or another, general principles and laws that can be tested experimentally have been structured, established, and established. That is to say, many of the truths enunciated by the Rishis in this spiritual science have subsequently been proven by “Western” science. Both end up synergizing just as Swami Vivekananda said: “Western science plus Hindu spirituality”
That is, these two sciences are not incompatible. Albert Einstein, one of the greatest physicists and mathematicians in history, stated:
“When I read the Bhagavad Gita and meditate on how God created the universe, everything else seems superfluous to me”.
Erwin Schrodinger, the Austrian physicist and Nobel Prize winner in Physics in 1933, stated:
“The unity and continuity of wave mechanics is reflected in the All is One of Vedanta.. The mystical experience of union with God leads to this realization, unless there are important prejudices as to the West”
Advaita Vedanta: The All in One
This Unity of Vedanta of the “All in One” had already been studied by the ancient Rishis of India, and is one of the pillars of Vedanta:
Or in the words of Sri Ramakrishna:
The German physicist Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967), considered the father of the atomic bomb, declared that when he saw it explode for the first time, Krishna's terrible statement came to mind:
“I am the time of the final destruction of the World, now engaged in destroying the worlds. Even without you, none of the warriors prepared for battle will survive.
In summary, I think it is more appropriate to talk about “Science and Philosophy of Yoga”, defined in the Bhagavad Gita rather than “Philosophy of Yoga” limited to Raja Yoga or Patanjali.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is the Bhagavad Gita called a "Science of Yoga"?
Every chapter of the Bhagavad Gita concludes with a reference to the "Yoga Shastra" (Science of Yoga). Krishna Himself refers to this knowledge as the "King of Sciences" because it deals with the eternal laws of the soul and the universe, known as Dharma.
Who is Pedro Nonell?
Pedro Nonell is a Spanish expert and translator of the Bhagavad Gita and the works of Swami Vivekananda. He specializes in Advaita Vedanta and the harmony of religions as taught by Sri Ramakrishna.
What is the difference between Para-Vidya and Apara-Vidya?
Para-Vidya is "higher knowledge" or spiritual science, focused on the subjective reality of the Atman (Self) and God. Apara-Vidya is "lower knowledge," which refers to the material sciences and the study of the finite, objective world.
How does the Bhagavad Gita relate to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras?
Both are authoritative "Yoga Shastras." While Patanjali focuses on the technical stages of Raja Yoga (the mind), the Bhagavad Gita provides a broader, harmonizing framework that includes Bhakti (Devotion), Karma (Action), and Jnana (Knowledge).
Did Western scientific like Einstein or Oppenheimer study the Bhagavad Gita?
Yes. Albert Einstein meditated on how God created the universe through the Gita’s teachings, and Robert Oppenheimer famously quoted the Gita upon the creation of the atomic bomb, recognizing its profound description of cosmic power and time.
Conclusion
The study of Yoga is incomplete without the integration of the Bhagavad Gita’s spiritual science. As Pedro Nonell emphasizes, the Gita does not just offer a philosophy; it provides a rigorous, experimental path to understanding the "All in One" of Advaita Vedanta.
By combining the technical discipline of Patanjali with the transformative wisdom of Krishna, a practitioner can move beyond the physical to the metaphysical. This "Science of the Self" remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago, proving that true knowledge is the union of the individual soul with God.
Thank you very much! Namaste!, Pedro Nonell
Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles
Filosofía del Yoga y Ciencia (Bhagavad Gita) 
Filosofia da Ioga e Ciência (Bhagavad-Gita).
- Yoga Sutras (formal), Gita (poetry)
- Repetition technique of the Bhagavad Gita
- Length of the Bhagavad Gita and Sutras Patanjali
Advanced courses:
(c) Gita Institute & Pedro Nonell
