PRAGYA MAHAJAN
Patanjali in his second aphorism defines yoga as a process of gaining control over the mind by cessation of the modifications of mind (Yogah Citta Vrtti Nirodhah). By controlling the mind, one can reach the original state. The Seer establishes himself in the original state (Tada Drashtuh Swarüpe Avasthanam). Maharishi Vasistha describes yoga as a skilful trick to calm down the mind (Manah Prashamanopayah Yoga Ityabhidhéyate). According to Swami Vivekananda, Yoga is a conscious process to accelerate the evolution into a single life, a few years or just a few days by controlling the behavior internally as well as externally, this state can be achieved by following work or Karma Yoga, by worship or Bhakti Yoga, by knowledge or Jnana Yoga and by psychic control or Raja Yoga.
In the spiritual dimension, Yoga is a path towards attainment of super conscious states beyond sensory perception and knowledge. It deals with the physical, mental, moral and spiritual wellbeing of an individual. The earliest systematic description of this practice and various philosophies was codified into 196 aphorisms in the classic treatise the “Yoga Sutras” of Patanjali, dating back to 900 B.C.
1. Karma Yoga: This path of working in relaxation involves doing action with an attitude of detachment to fruits of action. This makes man release himself from the strong attachments thereby brings in him a steadiness of mind, which verily is Yoga-‘Samatvam Yogah Uchyate’ (Equaminity, balance is Yoga).
2. Bhakti Yoga: The control of emotions is the key in the path of worship that involves pure love to the divine and is characterised by total surrender. In the age of globalisation, man is tossed up and down due to emotional onslaughts. The path of Bhakti is a boon to gain control over emotional instabilities by properly harnessing the energy involved in it.
3. Jnana Yoga: The present age of science has made man a rational being. Intellectual sharpness is imminent. Analysis forms the tool. The path of philosophy (Jnana Yoga) is apt for the keen intellectuals and is centered around the analysis of ‘happiness’, the vital contribution of Upanishads. Also many other fundamental questions regarding the mind, the outside and inside world and the reality are taken up. Basic questions are raised even involving the intellect itself to reach the very basis of intellect.
4. Raja Yoga: Culturing of mind is the key for success in almost all endeavours in our lives. This Yoga of ‘mind culture or psychic control (Raja Yoga) gives a practical and easy approach to reach higher states of consciousness. It is based on the Ashtanga Yoga (Eight limbed Yoga consisting of Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) of Patanjali’s Yoga system. The first five are called Bahiranga Yoga (external limbs) and Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are Antaranga Yoga.
Yama-niyamasana-pranayama pratyahara-dharana-dhyana samadhayo’Stava? gani.
Self-restraints, fixed observances, posture, regulation of breath, abstraction, concentration, contemplation, and trance are the eight parts (of the self-discipline of Yoga).
Yama: Vows of self restraint, comprise abstention from violence, false hood, theft, incontinence and acquisitiveness. The practice of Yama paves way to increase the power of concentration, mental purity and steadiness.
Niyama: Purity, contentment, austerity, self-study, and self-surrender constitute observances.
Asana: Posture (should be) steady and comfortable. By relaxation of effort and meditation on the ‘Endless’ (posture is mastered). Two basic principles governing the performance of asanas are stability and comfort. The nature of Asanas is not simply physical but psycho-neurophysical. Every asana should be performed effortlessly and maintained for a comfortable time. There should be no jerks and the performance of asana should not lead to undue fatigue.
Asanas may be meditative, cultural or relaxative.
1. Meditative Asanas are sitting postures, which maintain the body in a steady and comfortable condition. The characteristic feature of these asanas is keeping the head, neck and trunk erect. e.g. Siddhasana, Swastikasana, Padmasana, Vajrasana, Muktasana etc.
2. Cultural Asanas involve static stretching, which bring about proper tone of muscles. They contribute to the flexibility of the spine and render the back and spinal muscles stronger. They also stimulate proper working of the vital organs in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. They are performed through sitting, lying and standing positions. e.g. Pavan Muktasana, Naukasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Chakrasana etc.
3. Relaxative Asanas are performed in the lying position and are meant for giving rest to the body and mind. e.g. Shavasana, Makarasana, Balasana etc.
Pranayama: After mastering posture one must practice control of the prana by stopping the motions of inspiration, and expiration. Pranayama is the science of regulating and gaining control over the prana or breath or life force.
Pratyahara: It is in-drawing the mind away from perceptible external sensory stimuli by developing introspection.
Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi: Dharana is focusing of mind, relaxed dwelling of the mind on a single thought is Dhyana. Longer practices of dhyana leads to thought less state or super conscious state called Samadhi.
Swami Vivekananda says, “The Tapas and other hard yoga that were practised in other yugas do not work now. What is needed in this yuga is giving help to others. What is meant by Dana? The highest of gifts is giving of spiritual knowledge, the next is giving secular knowledge and next is saving of life, the last is giving food and drink. He who gives spiritual knowledge saves the soul from many and many a birth”.
Ban-Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General while proclaiming 21st June as the International Day of Yoga had said that the General Assembly has recognised the holistic benefits of this timeless practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the United Nations.
