AYOGA AND HOLISTIC WELL-BEING: EXPLORING THE GLOBAL RELEVANCE OF INDIA'S ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Yoga, one of the most profound contributions of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), has transcended geographical, cultural, and temporal boundaries to emerge as a globally recognized discipline for holistic well-being. Rooted in ancient Indian philosophy and documented in texts such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, yoga integrates physical postures (asana), breath regulation (pranayama), and meditative practices (dhyana) into a unified system of self-development. In the 21st century, with the world confronting a mounting crisis of mental health disorders, lifestyle diseases, and existential stress, the relevance of yoga has never been more compelling. This paper explores the philosophical foundations of yoga within the Indian Knowledge System, examines its scientifically validated health benefits, analyzes its global recognition through international institutional frameworks, and argues for its integration into contemporary healthcare and education. The study concludes that yoga, far from being a relic of antiquity, is an actively transformative, culturally rich, and scientifically relevant discipline that offers the world a holistic model of well-being aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.