Hiranyagarbha Yoga Shastra – Darshana is an ancient treatise
and Patanjali’s Yogasutra is based on this treatise. The text no longer exists.
But we come to know about the text through oral tradition and from various
saints, teachers and shastras. It is often quoted in Kurma, Shiva, Markandeya,
Linga, Vishnu, Agni and Skanda Purana.
The name Hiranyagarbha Yoga Shastra – Darshana gives the
hint that the darshana appeared from Hiranyagarbha – the creator.
As Per Vishnu Purana, the treatise is believed to have
composed by Jada Bharata, a descendent of Manu. The story of Jada Bharata is
found in the Srimad Bhagavad Purana.
Ancient works on yoga, quotes from the Hiranyagarbha Yoga Darshana
frequently.
The firm belief is that the work in its original form was
chiefly a compilation of authoritative statements by powerful and learned yogis
of the past.
The date of the compilation of the text is unknown.
The text underwent several changes depending on the sect
that learned it orally. As too many additions were made to it by later
teachers, the original works lost is importance and was lost.
Ahirbudhnya Samhita states that Hiranyagarbha Yoga Darshana
consisted of two samhitas on Yoga – one on nirodha yoga having twelve chapters and
other on karma yoga having four chapters.