ʏᴏɢᴀ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ'ꜱ ꜱᴛᴀɢᴇꜱ
𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕐𝕠𝕘𝕒?
The word yoga derived from the Sanskrit root yug meaning to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply. It also means union or communion. It is the true union of our will with the will of God. According to Mahadev Desai , ‘The yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul to God; it means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions, the will, which date yoga presupposes; it means a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly.’
Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It was collated, coordinated and systemized by Patanjali in his classical work, the Yoga Sutras, which consist of 185 terse aphorisms. In Indian thought, everything is permeated by the supreme universal spirit (God) of which the individual human spirit (jivatma) is a part. The system of yoga is so called because it teaches the means by which the jivatma can be united to, or be in communion with the Parmatma, and so secure liberation (moksa).
One who follows the path of yoga is a yogi or Yogin.
In the sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita, which is the most important authority on yoga philosophy, Shri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of yoga as a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow. It is said:
“When his mind, intellect and self (ahamkara) are under control, freed from restless desire, so that they rest in the spirit within, a man becomes a Yukta- one in communion with God. A lamp does not flicker in a place where no winds blow; so it is with a Yogi, who controls his mind, intellect and self, being absorbed in the spirit within him. When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of yoga, the Yogi by the grace of the spirit within himself finds fulfillment. Then he knows the the joy eternal which is beyond The pale of the senses which his reason cannot grasp. He abides in this reality and moves not therefrom.
There is nothing higher then this. He who has achieved it, shall not be moved by the greatest sorrow. This is the real meaning of yoga- A deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow.”
As a well cut diamond has many facets, each reflecting a different colour of light, so does the word yoga, each facet reflecting a different shade of meaning and revealing different aspects of the entire range of human endeavour to win inner peace and happiness.
Yoga has also been described as wisdom in work or a skillful living amongst activities with harmony and moderation.‘ Yoga is not for him who gorges too much, nor for him who stays awake. By moderation in eating and in resting, by regulation in working and by concordance in sleeping and walking, yoga destroy all pain and sorrow.’
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕐𝕠𝕘𝕒:
The right means are just as important as the end in view. Patanjali enumerates this means as the right limbs all stages of yoga for the quest of the soul.
They are:
1. Yama( universal moral commandment).
2. Niyama(Self purification by discipline).
3. Asana( posture).
4. Pranayama ( rythmic Control of Breath).
5. Pratyahara( withdrawal and emancipation of The mind from the domination of the senses and exterior objects ).
6. Dharana( concentration).
7. Dhyana( meditation).
8. Samadhi( state of super consciousness brought about by profound meditation, in which the individual aspirant (sadhaka) becomes one with the object of his meditation-Parmatma or the universal spirit).
Yama and Niyama control the Yogi's passions and emotions and kept him in harmony with his fellow man.
Asanas keep the body healthy and strong and in the harmony with nature. Finally, the Yogi becomes free of body consciousness. He conquers the body and renders it a fit vehicle for the soul.
The first three stages are the outward quests (bahiranga sadhana).
The next two stages, Pranayama & Pratyahara, teach the Aspirin to regulate the breathing, and thereby Control the mind. This helps to free the senses from the thraldom of the objects of desire. Is two stages of yoga are known as the inner quests( antaranga sadhana ).
Dhrana, Dhyana and Samadhi take the Yogi into the innermost recess of his soul. The Yogi does not look heavenward to find God. He knows that he is within, being known as Antaratma( The Inner Self).
The last three stages keep him in harmony with himself and his maker. These stages are called Antaratma Sadhana, the quest of the soul.
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