Grammatical Analysis
Yoga: [m.] bond; yoke; tie; attachment. From root yuj (to join, harness, yoke). In early Brahmanical texts, it meant joining with the divine, but in Theravāda orthodox psychology, it strictly means being yoked to suffering, like an ox harnessed to a heavy cart.
Orthodox Definition
The Yogas are the exact same four defilements as the Āsavas and Oghas, but are classified under this specific term to highlight their restrictive, enslaving function.
The four yokes are:
- Kāmayoga: The yoke of sensuality.
- Bhavayoga: The yoke of existence.
- Diṭṭhiyoga: The yoke of views.
- Avijjāyoga: The yoke of ignorance.
While the “flood” (ogha) sweeps a person away violently, the “yoke” (yoga) is what harnesses a creature to the heavy wheel of saṃsāra, forcing them to drag the burden of the five aggregates through life after life. A person who completely shatters these four harnesses through insight is given the supreme epithet Yogakkhema (One who has reached absolute security from bondage).
Textual References
- Sutta: Yoga Sutta (AN 4.10) – Detailing how the uninstructed worldling is bound by these four yokes, while the noble disciple dismantles them to attain supreme security.
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Yoga-gocchaka section).
- Commentary: Atthasālinī – Explaining the semantic distinction between floods (sweeping) and yokes (harnessing).