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RELIGIOUS SECTS
and his attendants, belong to the same sect'; whilst the philosophical tenets of Patanjali are as ancient perhaps as most of the other philosophical systems, and are prior to the Puranas by which they are inculcated in a popular form. The practices of the Yoga are also frequently alluded to, and enforced in the Mahábhárat?. There is little reason to question therefore the existence and popularity of the Yoga in the early centuries of the Christian era, but whether it was known and cultivated earlier must be matter of vague conjecture alone. As represented in the Sankaravijaya (Section 41), the Yogis vindicate their doctrine by texts from the Vedas, but the applicability of the texts is there denied, and is certainly far from conclusive or satisfactory.
' In the temples of Salsette, Elephanta, and Ellora the principal figure is mostly Siva, decorated with ear-rings, such as are still worn by the Kánphátá Jogis; the walls are covered with ascetics in the various Asanas, or positions in which the Yogi is to sit; a favourite subject of sculpture at Elephanta and Ellora is the sacrifice of DAKSIA disconcerted, and the guests, though saints and gods, put to rout, bruised and mutilated by VirABIIADRA and the Gaías of Siva in revenge for that deity's not having been invited, a story told in most of the Puráńas which inculcate the Yoga tenets. The cells attached to some of the temples are also indicative of Jogi residence, and one of the caves of Salsette is named that of Jogiśrara, or Siva, as lord of the Jogis. Transactions of the Literary Society of Bombay. Vols. 1 and 2.
? These allusions occur in the Vana Parva chiefly; whilst in the Udyoga Parra [c. 38 - 45. Vol. II, p. 144 ff.] the observances of the Yoga are detailed at considerable length, and strenuously enjoined.
