Mythology and Hindu Texts
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What is mythology and why should we be interested in it? Mythology can help us to make sense of our lives and the world around us. However for those engaged in the practice of Bhakti (devotion) these stories are not mythology but ultimately real. They define a cultural world.
In this course we will look at the major Hindu texts. Starting with the ancient origins of the Vedas and the Upanisads. Then we’ll dive into two of the most important Indian texts, the Mahabharata (Bhagavad Gita) and the Ramayana epics. We will discuss the Puranas where we find all of the wonderful stories of the gods, goddesses and their exploits. It is these tales that really represent Hinduism and how the majority of Hindus understand their lives. Contrary to how popular it is in the West, the average Indian has never even heard of the Yoga Sutras. The texts that are important for them are these tales of Krishna, Ram, Vishnu, Ganesh, Siva and the Goddess.
We will try to make sense of this path of Bhakti (devotion) and why on the ground in India this is what most people practice as their form of ‘yoga’. We will also examine certain asanas and chants, looking at the mythological meanings behind them.
Overall we hope to make this course relevant to you, your life and your practice. Giving a greater understanding of the multi-faceted approaches to yoga and the spiritual quest.
Content:
What is mythology and why study it?
Bhagavad Gita and The Mahabharata
The Ramayana – The story about Ram
Bhagavata Purana – Krishnas story
The importance of Vishnu and Siva
The Godesses: Kali, Durga, Sarasvati, Parvati, Lakshmi,
The churning of the ocean and other stories
Origins of the universe
The stories behind the asanas
Sista anmälningsdagen 14 dagar innan kursstart.
Om kursen
Yoga Mythology and Philosophy
The mythology that often is the platform for stories within the yogic tradition comes from Hinduism. For instance the story of Hanuman, the loving and unselfish monkey god that helps his master Rama to save his beloved Sita when she has been abducted to Sri Lanka. The hindu mythology also describes the story of Vashista, the son of Brahman, when he fights with king Vishwamitra over who will be the master of Nandini, the cow that gives it’s owner all he or she wishes for. All the stories from the hindu mythology have in common that they are trying to teach us something about ourselves and the world that we live in. To learn more about the most classical myths from the yogic tradition gives a new dimension both for the practicing yogi and, if you are a yoga teacher, for the teaching of yoga to others. To dive into this part of understanding yoga is a fun way of creating a stronger relationship to the thousands of years old yogic philosophy and to all of the people who have lived it and taught it throughout the history. After the course you will have a greater understanding for the origin of yoga, the history and how the tradition has developed. With more knowledge about both the myths and the characters in hindu and yogic tradition the interpretation of important texts such as for instance Bhagavad Gita becomes more accessible.
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
The course is for yoga teachers as well as yogis who are interested in developing their knowledge and understanding of the more philosophical aspects of yoga. No previous knowledge is needed.
The course will be taught in English.
OBS! This course is a mandatory course for yogis that are aiming for the yogayama 500 hour certification according to Yoga Alliance.
Information
Datum
2-4 oktober, 2026
Tid
08:00-16:30
Pris
6400 kr
anmälan är bindande
Antal timmar
30 timmar
Lärare
Guy Powiecki
