The Yogic practice lays emphasis on moving beyond knowledge gleaned from sensory experiences. Instead, awareness of the cosmic being through observation and meditation is valued. This Vedic philosophy about “vidya” is explained in the Yoga Sutras as intrinsic to the yogic path to Samadhi or enlightenment. 

The Vedic principles establish the importance of the practice of yoga in the path towards enlightenment. They form the philosophical backbone of this practice. The Vedas and the Upanishads, written and recited as they are in Sanskrit, are not thoroughly understood even by the Hindus. The Bhagavad Gita, on the other hand, is widely known to the common masses. 

The Gita is part of the mythical epic Mahabharata, a story about Krishna and his times that has become part of folklore in India and even abroad. As the Bhagavad Gita is told in stories and songs, it's teaching about the yogas is popular and more accessible. The Gita is a divine song that was sung by Lord Krishna to his staunch devotee and friend Arjuna. According to Gita, yoga is a path to becoming one’s best self. In other words, yoga is the key to self-realisation.