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CHAPTER 2
A Comparison of the Yoga Systems
as Propounded by Patañjali and Haribhadrasūri
Gokul CHANDRA JAIN
A comparative study of the Yoga Systems as propounded by Patañjali and Haribhadrasūri is by itself an important topic of discussion. In this case first of all one is expected to possess a sound knowledge of the traditional background of the two exponents. Patañjali belongs to the ancient Sāṁkhya-Yoga School whereas Haribhadra to the Jaina school of Indian Philosophy. Second, when Patañjali propounded his doctrine, · he might have been well aware of the other Schools including the Jaina School as known and practiced during his age, but certainly not with the exposition of Haribhadra, as he was later than Patañjali. Third, when Haribhadra composed his works on Yoga, many traditions and interpretations including that of Patañjali were current. Fourth, Haribhadra was a Brahmin turned into a śramana, and as a versatile scholar he had shouldered great responsibility of exploring the oneness of purpose of all the main streams of Indian wisdom, as soon as he adopted śramanism. And finally, in the Sramaņism, which Haribhadra inherited, the term Yoga had an absolutely different meaning than that with Patañjali; it is significant in the doctrine of Karma.
