Yoga Darshana Upanishad

Yoga Darsana Upanisa belodngs to Samaveda. It primarily deals with Astaṅga Yoga philosophy. The main theme of Astaṅga Yoga is described in it in the form of dialogue between Lord Dattatreya and Sage Saṅkṛti. There are mainly ten khaṇdas (parts) in it. In the first part the philosophy of the eight limbs of yoga and the ten yamas are described. In the second part the ten niyams are explained. Nine types of asanas are described in the third part. There is a long explanation of introduction to nadis, the pilgrimage to the Self and the glory of the knowledge of Self-realization in the fourth part. Methods of the purification of the nadis and the self-purification are described in the fifth part. Praṇayama, its methods of practice, results and applications are described in the sixth part. Pratyahara, its types and results are described in the seventh part. Dharaṇa and dhyana are described in the eighth and ninth parts. The state of samadhi and its results are described in the last tenth part. Thus, the major subjects of yoga with its vedantic view are presented in this Upanisad, which makes it unique and complete.