Philosophy
Ishvara
Īśvaraईश्वर· EESH-vah-rahsupreme being, lord
Ishvara refers to the supreme being or divine principle in yoga philosophy; surrender to Ishvara is one of the niyamas.
Ishvara pranidhana — devotion or surrender to Ishvara — is the fifth niyama and a path to samadhi in the Yoga Sutras. Yoga leaves the nature of Ishvara open to the practitioner.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Ishvara in yoga?
- The supreme being or divine principle. Ishvara pranidhana, surrender to Ishvara, is one of the niyamas and, in the Yoga Sutras, a route to deep meditative absorption.