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Yoga is a pragmatic science, evolved over thousands
of years in India which deals with the physical , moral , mental & spiritual
well-being of man.
The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ which means ‘
to join or to attach ’. It also means union or communion . Therefore
the word ‘ Yoga’ means the union of an individual with the Supreme Universal
Spirit In Indian thoughts, everything is permeated by the Supreme Universal
Spirit (Paramatma) of which the individual human spirit (Atma) is a
part. The system of yoga teaches the means by which the Atma can be
united to , or be in communion with the Paramatma & thus secure liberation
or emancipation (Moksha) .
Yoga is one of the most orthodox systems of Indian philosophy . It was
systematised & explained by Patanjali in his classical work , the yoga
sutras , which consists of 185 aphorisms .
One who follows the path of yoga is a yogi or a Yogini. The stages of
Yoga Patanaji defines Yoga , in the second aphorism of the first chapter
of the yoga sutras , as ‘Chitta Vrutti Nirodha ’ . This may be translated
as the restraint of mental states or as suppression of the fluctuation
of consciousness . Thus, Yoga is the method by which the restless mind
is calmed & disciplined so that the mental energy can be directed into
constructive channels . Patanjali describes this stages of yoga .Therefore,
his system is also called ‘ Ashtang Yoga ’ or ‘ Eight-fold path ’ .
These eight stages are :-
1) Yama - Yama summarizes the commandments for ethical discipline
.
They are -
Ahinsa (Non-Voilence),
Satya (truth) ,
Asteya (Non-stealing),
Brahmacharya (confidence) ,
Aparigraha (Non-coveting).
2) Niyama - Niyama are the rules of conduct which every individual
yogi follows.
They are –
Saucha
(Cleanliness & Purity ) ,
Santosha
(Contentment),
Tapes
(Austerity) ,
Svadhaya
(Study of the self ) ,
Ishvara
Pranidhana ( Dedication of God ) .
3) Asana -
This is the most widely known part of yoga .Asanas are the postures
or the physical exercises which bring steadiness , health & harmony
to the body & mind . Asana develop agility , balance & endurance in
the body & also create mental equilibrium . A yogi conquers the body
by the practice of asanas & makes it a fit vehicle for the spirit
. Thus he prepares his body for the higher-level practice to follow.
4) Pranayama -
‘Prana’ means the life-force energy . It means life ,vitality & energy
, but also means breath or respiration . Pranayama thus connotes the
control of one’s breath . Pranayama is thus the science of breath
. It consists of a number of different exercise for the development
& control of one’s breathing. Yoga believes that one can control &
quieten one’s mind by regulating one’s breathing . Thus the practice
of Pranayama is necessary for the preparation of the next two stages
which follow .
5) Pratyahara -
The fifth stage of yoga teaches one to bring one’s senses under control
. If a man succumbs to the pull of his senses, he will go astray .
But if he learns to turn his senses inward & instead of running after
external objects or sensual pleasure , if he learns to use them the
practice of withdrawal & emancipation of the mind from the domination
of the senses & external objects.
6) Dharana -
When the body has been prepared with asanas , when the mind & the
senses have been brought under control by prayahara , the yogi reaches
the sixth stage of Dharana . Dharana literally means to hold or to
fix one’s mind .Dharana therefore means concentration . Here the yogi
is taught to concentrate wholly on single point or on a task in which
he is completely engrossed . The mind has to be stilled in order to
achieve this state of complete absorption .
7) Dhyana –
Dhyana means awareness & is sometimes translated as meditation . Dhyana
or the state of meditation is achieved when the flow of concentration
is uninterrupted , all distractions are eliminated & the stream of
thoughts are in a single direction without interruption towards a
definite subject . Thus , in this stage they are all integrated in
the object of contemplation-the Universal spirit . He remains in a
state of pure consciousness . There is no other feeling except a state
of supreme bliss . In this state , he sees the light which shines
in his own heart . He becomes a light unto himself & others .
8) Samadhi –
Samadhi is the 8th & the last stage and it signifies the end of the
yogi’s quest . At the peak of his meditation , he passes into the
state of samadhi. In this state , his body & senses are at rest as
if he is asleep , and his faculties of mind & reasons are alert as
if he is awake . Different System of Yoga. It is generally believed
that there are two different systems of yoga;
A. Hatha Yoga .
B.
Raja Yoga.
A.
Hatha Yoga lays emphasis on the physical aspect of yoga & contains
rigorous disciplines & physical exercises . Swatmarama describes this
system of yoga in ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika ’ .
B. Raja Yoga lays stress on the mental discipline & gives importance
to controlling & conquering one’s mind . Actually , Patanjali does
not call his system Raja yoga. He calls it ‘ Ashtanga Yoga ’ i.e.
the eight-fold path . But since it implies complete mastery of one’s
self , one may call it Raja yoga .
Different Paths The Indian culture recognised the fact that there
are different paths by which an individual may travel & may approach
the ultimate reality . An active person may find self – realisation
through ‘ Karam Yoga ‘ i.e. by dissolving himself in his own work
& duty . A person who is emotional by nature may find it through faith
& devotion , i.e. through ‘ Bhakti Marg ’. An intellectual person
may pursue ‘ Jnana Marg ’ where realisation may be achieved through
knowledge .
All these system & all these paths ultimately complement each other.
And help an individual towards liberation . Thus , ultimately all
these paths merge into one .
©
2001 Vandemataram.com All rights reserved.
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