Who is Adiyogi
                     Who is Adiyogi? The First Yogi
and  Source of Yoga
Maha Yogi, Adinath, Yogeshwar, and Adiyogi are some of the names of Lord Shiva. He 
is part of  the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha, that controls the cosmic 
universe. Shiva is the  destroyer who possesses the power to eradicate all evil from 
the Universe. Few are aware of  Lord Shiva's deep connection with Yoga.
Many theories and legends have established Lord Shiva as the Father of Yoga. Lord 
Shiva is  believed to have laid down the holistic utility of Yoga for the body, mind, and 
spirit. Many Hindu  scriptures and theories revere Lord Shiva as Adiyogi, the world's 
First Yogi.
Who Was Adiyogi?
In the yogic tradition, Adiyogi is considered the first yogi and the originator of yoga. 
The word  "Adiyogi" translates to "the first yogi" or "the primal yogi" in the Tamil 
language.
According to Hindu mythology, Adiyogi is believed to have transmitted the science of 
yoga to his  seven disciples, known as the Saptarishis, thousands of years ago. He 
imparted them with the  knowledge and techniques to explore and attain spiritual 
enlightenment. This event is said to  have marked the beginning of the yogic 
tradition.
Adiyogi is often depicted as a meditating figure, usually shown with matted hair, an 
 ash-smeared body, and a serpent coiled around his neck. He is considered the 
ultimate symbol  of spiritual liberation and represents the divine union of masculine 
and feminine energies.
The significance of Adiyogi extends beyond mythology and religion. He is revered as 
a profound  source of wisdom and inspiration, emphasizing the importance of inner 
exploration and  self-realization. Adiyogi is widely venerated by practitioners of yoga 
and spiritual seekers who  seek to deepen their understanding of the self and attain 
higher states of consciousness.
Also read: Top 3 Patanjali Yoga Sutras for Balanced Life (With Meaning & Examples)
Role of Adiyogi in Yoga
1. Transmission of Yoga:
Adiyogi is believed to have transmitted the science of yoga to his seven disciples, 
the  Saptarishis. He shared the knowledge and techniques that encompassed various 
aspects of  yoga, including asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), 
meditation, and spiritual  wisdom.
2. Science of Inner Transformation
Adiyogi emphasized that yoga is not just a physical exercise or a set of techniques, 
but a means  for inner transformation and self-realization. He taught that through 
dedicated practice,  individuals can attain higher states of consciousness and realize 
their true nature.
3. Union of Opposites
Adiyogi emphasized the importance of embracing and balancing the masculine and 
feminine  energies within oneself. He highlighted the significance of harmonizing the 
polarities of life, such  as activity and stillness, effort and surrender, and strength and 
grace.
4. Five Elements and Human Potential
Adiyogi taught that the human body and the universe are interconnected. He 
explained that the  human system is essentially made up of the five elements 
(Panch Bhutas)—earth, water, fire,  air, and space—and by understanding and 
harmonizing these elements, one can unlock their  full potential.
5. Importance of Meditation:
Adiyogi also focused on the practice of meditation as a powerful tool for self-
discovery and inner  growth. He taught various meditation techniques to help 
individuals calm their mind, cultivate  awareness, and experience deeper levels of 
consciousness.
6. Non-Dogmatic Approach
Adiyogi's teachings were open and inclusive, transcending religious and cultural 
boundaries. He  encouraged seekers to explore and discover their own truth, 
emphasizing the need for personal  experience and direct realization rather than 
Kbliendy b Yeloiefg. ic Techniques Attributed to Adiyogi
Also read: Different Definitions of Yoga (From 15+ Scriptures & Roots of Yoga)
1. Hatha Yoga
Lord Shiva’s Hatha Yoga focused on the purity of the body by using correct Yoga 
techniques.  The various physical postures that Lord Shiva taught Goddess Parvati 
and the Saptarishi were  part of Hatha Yoga.
Most of the modern-day practices of Yoga follow the teachings and principles of 
Hatha Yoga.  The teachings of Hatha Yoga portray the importance of meditation, 
dietary regulations,  breathing techniques, physical exercise, and postural 
alignment in cleansing your body  adequately.
2. Mantra Yoga
Mantra implies a chant that people usually repeat or recite while meditating. Lord 
Shiva  introduced Mantra Yoga to teach the concept of mental cleansing with the 
help of Yoga. Lord  Shiva was the creator of the syllable Om, which is one of the 
primordial sounds of the cosmic  universe.
Om is a widely used syllable in various Hindu mantras. Mantra Yoga helps improve 
the focus of  a wandering mind, thus allowing it to pursue its true goal of enlightened 
living. Mantra Yoga is  more profound than physical Yoga as it will enable one to 
explore their subconscious and  elevate it to a higher spiritual plane.
3. Laya Yoga
Lord Shiva developed the concept of Laya Yoga to attain the ultimate aim of human 
life; union  with the Cosmic Universe. Hindu religious teachings discuss the idea of 
spiritual enlightenment  in human life.
Laya Yoga includes meditation techniques and other spiritual activities that will help 
to elevate  one’s life to a better spiritual plane. Laya Yoga helps activate and harness 
fixed energy points  within the human body.
4. Raja Yoga
Raja is the Sanskrit word for king. The king is always the best and at the top; 
similarly, Raja  Yoga is the highest aim of Yoga. Raja Yoga is also the name of the 
techniques and practices  one must perform to attain bliss and harmony. Laya Yoga 
assists in activating dormant energies  inside our bodies.
Raja Yoga is the journey that takes these energies from their lowest point to their 
maximum  potential. While doing so, these energies pass through various points in 
the body known as  Chakras. Lord Shiva resides in the Chakra, where the power 
takes its most potent form within  our body.
Also read: 18 Life-Changing Bhagavad Gita Shlokas (Verses) With Meaning 
and Lessons
Historical Context of Adiyogi
Connection between Adiyogi and the Indus Valley Civilization
Yoga is ancient, but how old is it? Many people ask when Yogic postures were 
invented in India.  The answer is complex, but evidence confirms its connection to 
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro  sites. Both places were inhabited from 3300 to 1300 
BCE, meaning it's over 5,000 years old, as  the records found.
The most crucial evidence is the idol of Pashupatinath, or Lord Shiva, recovered from 
the  Harappan site. The posture of the idol is similar to the most common Yogic 
posture, which is still  being followed.
In the ancient Indian scriptures, Pashupatinath or God Shiva is considered Adi Yogi, so 
if we  connect the dots, we find that the Harappans were Shaivite and were aware of 
Yogic postures.  This is an eye-opening revelation that many people don’t know.
The Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro people were Shaivaite and spread across the Indian  
subcontinent. Despite various languages and cultures, the source of divinity– God 
Shiva—is  common across India. The Harappan civilisation and Yoga had spread 
worldwide, and traces of  Yogic cultures can still be found buried in some parts of the 
world.
References to Adiyogi in ancient Indian texts and scriptures
Adiyogi taught the yogic science to the seven sages together 15000 years ago on 
the bank of  Kanti Sarovar, a glacial lake that existed at that time near Kedarnath 
Temple. These sages then  spread this valuable knowledge among humanity to 
better their spiritual condition and living.
This precious knowledge of Yoga was written in books, which were translated later 
into several  languages. These instructions on Yogic methods were written in ancient 
scriptures, like Shiva  Sutras and Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, where readers were taught 
how to gain absolute control over  the body and mind to attain salvation.
It is believed that this Yoga science was later introduced in North India by Guru 
Gorakhnath and  preached in South India by Rishi Agasthya.
The Adiyogi Statue at the Isha Yoga Center
Adiyogi Shiva Statue in Coimbatore is one of India's most enormous statues, 
dedicated to the  great Hindu god Lord Shiva. Located in the Isha Foundation 
Complex in Coimbatore, the statue  is carved out of 500 steel stones and stands tall 
at 112 feet. It is surrounded by verdant green  farms at the foothills of the Velliangiri 
Mountains in the Western Ghats, offering a relaxing  environment for Yoga and 
meditation.
The Center foster inner transformation and creates an established state of well-
being in  individuals. The large residential facility has an active international 
community of brahmacharis,  full-time volunteers and visitors. Isha Yoga Center 
provides a supportive environment to shift to  healthier lifestyles, seek higher self-
fulfilment, and realise your full potential.
Significance of the Adiyogi Statue
Located at the Isha Yoga Center, with a height of 112 feet, Adiyogi symbolises the 
112  possibilities to attain moksha, i.e. liberation mentioned in yogic culture and the 
112 chakras in  the human system. A linga known as Yogeshwar Linga was 
consecrated and placed before the  statue.
Architectural and artistic features of the statue
1) The Face of the Lord Shiva statue is made of steel.
Lord Shiva's face is made of steel and is not just for aesthetics but has the 
geometric  significance of crafting a metal statue.
2) Took 8 months to build the statue.
Designing the face took about 2.5 years, but the statue was built in 8 months.
3) It weighs 500 tonnes.
The whole structure is estimated to weigh approximately 500 tonnes.
4) Reason behind the statue being 112-foot tall.
112 is significant because Adiyogi opened 112 possibilities for humans to reach their 
ultimate  potential. Also, there's a scientific significance — there are 112 chakras in 
the human system to  work to explore 112 life's dimensions.
5) Face of Adiyogi will be the enormous face of its kind on the planet.
Shiva isn't known as God but as Adiyogi or the first yogi – the Originator of Yoga. He 
first sowed  the seed into the human mind that one can evolve if willing to strive.