The Keshin Hymn (RV 10.136)
The long-haired one endures fire, the long-haired one endures poison, the long-haired one endures both worlds.
The long-haired one is said to gaze full on heaven, the long-haired one is said to be that light.
The wind-girt sages have donned the yellow robe of dust: along the wind’s course they glide when the gods have penetrated them.
Exulting in our seerhood, upon the winds we have ascended. Of us, you mortals, only our bodies do you behold.
Through the middle region flies the sage shinning down upon all forms; for his piety is he deemed the friend of every god.
The wind’s steed, the Lord of life’s friend, is the god-intoxicated sage: without both oceans he dwells, the upper and the lower. . . .
For him has the Lord of life churned and pounded the unbendable, when the long-haired one, in Rudra’s company, drank from the poison cup.
Who are these guys?
They are munis not rishis. Both words translated as "sage" or "seer."
Indo-European root men, meaning "to think, to reflect." Muni later meant "silent one." Gk. mania; Lat. mens.
Rishis practice Vedic rituals and write the Vedas, but munis practiced austeries and isolation and are associated with Rudra-Shiva.
Are the Munis Shamans?
A shaman has "special relations with ‘spirits,’ ecstatic capacities permitting . . . magical flight, ascent to the sky,. . . mastery over fire"•
Eliade believes the most striking similarities between Yoga and shamanism is the production of "inner heat" (tapas).
The etymology of yoga
• yuj : "to bind closely" and "to bring under yoke."
• To take on the yoke of spiritual discipline.
• To bind one's self with God or one's true self.
More Differences between Sankhya and Yoga
Has Ishvara the Lord been added to Sankhya’s 25 elements?
Chap. 1.24 indicates Ishvara's difference from us is not metaphysical, but simply due to the fact that he has never been seduced by Nature.
Mahat or buddhi are replaced by citta (mind-stuff), but it is still part of prakriti.
Through citta purusha comes to believe that it really experiences something and is related to the world.
Contrast with Vedanta’s sat cit ananda. Purusha has being (sat), but no citta and no ananda (bliss).
The Yoga-Sutra
• The author is Pantanjali, who lived in the 2nd cent. B.C.E.
Text from Pantanjali’s time and two commentaries from the 4th C.E. (abbreviated Y.B.) and another from 850 C.E. (abbreviated T.V.).