Yoga

योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां । मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन ॥ योऽपाकरोत्तमं प्रवरं मुनीनां । पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि ॥

“Let us bow down to the great sage Patanjali, who gave yoga for peace and purity of mind, grammar for clarity and purity of speech and medicine for perfection of health.”

Photo Credits

There is a lot of interest these days in "yoga". However, what the Westerners call "yoga" refers only to the postures, known as "asanas". Yoga asanas are bodily postures that are beneficial for strengthening both the body and the mind. However, "yoga" is a multifaceted word with infinite connotations. It stems from the Sanskrit word "yuj," which means to unite. Hinduism aims to unite the individual self, or the "atman," with the universal self, or "Brahman." Any attempt to achieve this union can be termed as "yoga". Thus, in Hinduism, we have various types of yoga, such as Jnana yoga, karma yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga, etc. The physical postures that are known as "yoga" worldwide today have existed in India for centuries. They were emphasized and brought to the ordinary people's attention by the great Hindu Master known as Patanjali, who is considered the world's first psychologist. Hence, even today, it is called Patanjali yoga and has gained prominence in the modern world through the efforts of Baba Ram Dev and other esteemed yoga masters. Our Prime Minister has declared that June 21st should be celebrated as "Yoga Day". People practicing yoga around the world have discovered its great benefits for mental and physical health. Consequently, the word "yoga" has become a buzzword in many Western countries, leading to the establishment of numerous yoga schools worldwide, as people recognize that yoga helps them lead healthier and happier lives.

Due to its rapid rise in popularity, the word "yoga" has sparked suspicion in Muslim and Christian countries. There is a belief that "yoga" carries a Hindu flavor, and some perceive it as a diabolic plot by Hindus to infiltrate mainstream global thought. This viewpoint exists within India as well and forms the basis for the lobby that opposes the introduction of yoga practice in schools, as proposed by the government. In ancient times, all students in "padashalas," the old Indian schools, had to practice yoga. However, with the arrival of the English, it was replaced by something called PT, which is a form of physical fitness routine. Yoga asanas, on the other hand, enliven both the body and mind, with their effects extending beyond the physical realm.

Unfortunately, some intellectual Hindus and even some gurus are attempting to support the anti-Hindu lobby by asserting that yoga has no Hindu undertones and can be practiced by anyone seeking to improve their mind and body. While it is true that yoga can be practiced by anyone desiring mental and physical improvement, Hindus have never sought to patent their knowledge. It has always been readily available to all of humanity. However, this does not negate its origins in the roots of Sanatana Dharma, as it forms the foundation of our religion.

Hinduism presents four goals, among which the fourth is known as "moksha" or liberation. But who or what seeks liberation? The embodied soul is referred to as the "jivatman," which is merely a holographic representation of the Brahman or the Supreme Soul (Paramatman). This jivatman always yearns to unite with the Paramatman. In Hinduism, any method employed by the jivatman to achieve this union is termed as "yoga". Yogasanas serve as a means to purify the physical body, making it easier for us to sit and meditate for extended periods without discomfort, thus aiding in the union with the Supreme Soul.

Photo Credits

Hinduism offers various classical methods of yoga. One such method is the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali, which has captivated many individuals. However, it is important to note that asanas are only one-eighth of the methods bestowed upon us to purify both the physical and mental bodies, enabling the individual to unite with the Paramatman. It should also be highlighted that Patanjali refers to his entire system as "ashtanga yoga," which signifies the eight limbs of yoga. Just as the limbs of an infant grow simultaneously and not one by one, the practitioner of yoga should strive to cultivate all eight limbs simultaneously in order to attain the desired outcome. We cannot lead an undisciplined life and expect to become proficient in meditation and yogasanas. Certain strict moral and physical disciplines must be followed before we can anticipate the correct results.

Photo. Credits

Other classical forms of yoga mentioned in our texts include Jnana Yoga, the yoga of wisdom; Karma Yoga, the yoga of action; and Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. Lord Krishna eloquently elucidates these three yogas in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. However, it is noteworthy that all eighteen chapters of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita are known as yogas. The very first chapter is titled "Arjuna Vishada Yoga" or the yoga of Arjuna's sorrow! Even sorrow can act as a prod that directs our mind towards God. When our life unfolds smoothly without any sorrows or distractions, we might not be as inclined to contemplate God. Yet, the moment we are besieged by troubles and problems, even an atheist will start contemplating God. Thus, any activity that leads us toward God can be termed as "yoga". The challenge lies in training the mind in such a way that every action undertaken by the individual is directed towards union with God. Mental dedication is of utmost importance.

All the classical forms of yoga aim to train the mind for this singular dedication, which is the most crucial aspect for the individual. A yogic life, therefore, entails a combination of knowledge, spirituality, and engagement in the physical world. The true yogi is one who recognizes that all three—individual, God, and the world—originate from the same source. We categorize everything in the world within a space/time continuum, but in truth, the existence of God transcends this continuum, which is merely a construct of the mind. This is why it proves challenging for us to devote everything to something beyond our mental conception. The mind becomes so entangled in the external world that it seems impossible for it to conceive any other manner of thinking. Even if we intellectually comprehend that our true nature is nothing but existence-consciousness and bliss—Sat-chit-ananda—we still tend to perceive it as being located outside ourselves.

We think that the world consists of only two things: the seer and the seen. When we see anything, we think, "I am the seer," and the object is outside of me. We don't realize that there is also an unseen or transcendent knower which is ever-present at all times and is a witness to our every thought and action. Therefore, we don't have a private life! There is a transcendent source that is aware of every leaf that falls, every blink of an eye of every creature in the world! Yoga is meant to teach you about the existence of this Being and is meant to unite you with this Being so that we begin to see this great principle operating everywhere, at all times, and in all places.

When we dimly come to realize the existence of such a Being, we start to fear it, and that is the beginning of all religion. All religion begins with fear of the unknown. Because of our conditioning, we are apt to think that this Being is transcendent or something above us. This is not correct. The transcendence of this Being is not spatial. It is not an ascension from the level of the seer and seen to something above both, but it is actually an inclusiveness of both the seer and the seen. With the practice of yoga, we come to realize that the creature, the creation, and the creator are totally interconnected. The fear that we felt in the beginning ends in the knowledge that the Being we fear is actually our very Self—closer than a friend, closer than a relative, and the only beloved. This is the union that yoga aims for. Actually, yoga is at the basis of all spirituality, religion, and true philosophy. Yoga is a total operation of our mental, physical, and intellectual life in order to focus on that which is not seen by the physical eyes.

May all those who read this blog become true yogis and unite with the divine

Hari Aum Tat Sat!