YOGA: GREAT INDIAN MYSTERIES
Yoga is the ancient Indian science of integration of human personality at the physical, mental, moral and intellectual levels. The definition of Yoga is a subject of debate. Most of the yoga practitioners fail to see yoga in totality and assume what they known is yoga. In this process, they end up defining yoga in a manner very much similar to blind person's perception on seeing elephant for the first time in life.
The term yoga has its roots in Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ which means “to join” or “to unite” or “state of oneness”. It is the union of finite self (jivatam) with the cosmic or universal self (paramtama). However, according to yogis, there is an anomaly in this definition, as yoga cannot unite something, which is inseparable. There was or will never be a time when the jivatam is separate from atman. At this, very instant one is united with his universal consciousness. The yoga helps only to realize this truth.
On a more practical level, Yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and emotions. It unfolds deeper aspects of personality and sprout creativity.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Yoga was slowly evolved in India and developed by the ancient sages, not only in India but all over the world.
VEDIC TRADITIONS
Modern world is indebted to ancient India for its precious gift of ideology and technology of yoga. The seeds of the Yoga system may be discovered in the vedic Samhitas because the Vedas are the foundation of Indian Culture, Philosophy and Religion. One can assume that all the titles of the Vedas had the divine powers of maintaining the order of the universe as they individually represented different phenomena of nature. Divine power is not different from Yogic power because a yogi can also realize the revelation of the divine power within his own mind, both orthodox and hetrodox systems of philosophy followed the path of yoga for the attainment of freedom from all worldly pains.
The derivation of the Word ‘Yoga’, the vedic line “Yujyate amina iti yogah” may be taken for consideration wherein the word ‘Yujyate’ implies an instrument or Venille to achieve some desired aim or object.2
The Rig Veda Samhita advises us to unite our mind through the process of yoga with Brahman. Again in Rig Veda, it is mentioned that a person follows the path of yoga for gaining control over mind and senses.
In the Yajur Veda, some references directly or indirectly related to yogic system can be adduced. The same reference “Yunjyate mamina …………….” of the Rig Veda is repeated in the Yajur Veda.
The Atharva Veda is most important for the study of yoga practices. Some of the mantras of this Veda refer to some of the aspects of yoga system. A yogi can realize the presence of chakras within his body which contains nine gates (holes). The description of these nine gates (holes) in human body is clearly given in the Atharva Veda.
OTHER SCRIPTURES
Mahabharatha
According to the Mahabharatha, it is assumed that the system of Yoga started from Brahma himself. His son Vasishtha was called as Brahma Rishi, because he had controlled his mind and mastered his senses without sense control, no yoga is possible. Self-control has been described in the Mahabharatha as the highest duty for the wise person and the man of tapas.
Different kinds of yoga, such as dhyana yoga, jnana yoga have also been described in Mahabharatha.
All the eighteen chapters in the Gita are designated as the types of Yoga, all the eighteen yogas contained in the 18 chapters may be reduced to four. The Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakthi Yoga and Jnana Yoga.
UPANISHADS
The Prashna Upanishad described the superiority of the prana to all other senses including the manas. It is said that the whole universe remains under the control of the prana. In mundukopanishad, it is also advised that one should meditate on the self in the form of OM.
These references of the Upanishads interpret the Vedic System of yoga in their own ways. It appears that mental yoga is the first condition for all super of yoga because unless our mind is fully under control, no yoga is possible. A persons who follows the path of yoga must have control over his mind and senses and faith in the Divine inspirer or Brahman.
SMRITHIS
Smrithis have a great place in Indian culture. There are more than twenty Smrithi but “manu smrithi” occupies the first and foremost place among them. “Manu” has put emphasis on the name of God known as Pranaya in the Yoga Sutras.
STREAMS OF YOGA
Tantra Yoga and Kundalini Yoga
The word Tantra means to expand or to continue and in the applied sense it is that which extends knowledge. The tantric principles and practices have had a tremendous influence on the philosophical and religious traditions of India.
Tantra yoga is a practical type of yoga wherein the body and mind are considered to be one and the body is believed to be a vehicle of the mind. According to this system the mind is abstract, the body concrete, to work with the abstract mind we need to use the concrete material stuff called body. It is in the body that one psychic center is located. The functional aspect of the cerebrospinal system is called the mind. The spine is the seat of all responses.
In tantric tradition, purush (male soul) and prakriti (female body) are represented by the lord and his creative power – Sakthi (female power or energy) which is manifested as matter and mind, though supreme consciousness in mindless. 3When there is no mind, there is no limitation, and man is then pure consciousness to go beyond the mind, one stops its vehicle so that its activities become suspended. Prana (breath) is the minds vehicle.
Apna is a prana that exists in the region extending from below the naval to the anus, and is responsible for all activities in the pelvic region, including ejaculation, urination and defecation. If this prana, which is charged with negative ions, is made to function with apana and is forced to enter through the central canal in the spinal column, there is a fusion between the negative ions of prana and the positive ions of apana. This generates great amount of energy which, in turn, help in the ascent of the dormant energy that is at rest at the base of the spine – Kundalini. Before the generation of this energy is physically possible, the aspirant must become prepared through bodily unifications, asanas, (yogic postures), pranayama (yogi breathing), etc.
The system of working with the Kundalini is basically tantric in origin. It works through the union of the psyche with matter, and the mind with the physical body. In principle, the body plays a great role in producing various moods, including the highest mood, “Samadhi” the mood of bliss. This state is achieved by channelling energy through the nervous system and through the spine. The energy ascends through a narrow passage in the spinal column and passes through six psychic centers before it reaches its final abode, the seventh center, the sixth center is located in the cerebrum, the hollow space between the twin hemisphere of the brain. Here again union takes place and where the activities of the mind are completely suspended. Both hemispheres become calm, the inner dialogue stops. One looses all sense of time and spaces, and identifications and false notion of the phenomenal world melt away.
KUNDALINI (THE SERPENT POWER)
“The flight of a bird rising from earth to heaven, tied to a Golden thread”
“Kundalini – sleeping dormant potential force in the human organism”
“Kundalini has been described as that which is coiled or empty”
The word Kundalini comes from the Sanskrit Word ‘Kundal’ which means ‘coil’. It is compared with a serpent that while resting and sleeping, lies coiled, the comparison between a serpent and Kundalini comes because of the nature of its movement, which is spiraling and serpent like, kundalini is an aspect of the eternal, supreme consciousness which is both with and without attributes. In the attributless leads (nirguna) aspect it is the will of consciousness of cosmos and in pure consciousness, in the aspect with attributes (saguna), this energy is often personified as Kundalini, an aspect of the Great Goddess. Just as primal energy, or sakthi, is personified as Shakthi, it is through the power of Kundalini that all creatures act. In individual bodies the sense energy lies dormant, as a static center around which every form of existence revolves. In the phenomenal world there is always a lower a power in and behind every activity, a static background.
THE CHAKRAS
The literal meaning of the word chakra is ‘wheel or circle, but in the yogic context a better translation of the Sanskrit word is ‘vortex’ or ‘whirlpool’. The chakras are horifier of psychic energy and they are visualised and experienced as circular movement of energy at particular rates of vibration.
Chakras cannot be described in terms of psychology, physiology or any other physical science, chakras are centers of activity of subtle vital force termed Sukshmna prana (subtle prana), 4they are inter-related with sympathetic, parasympathetic and autonomous nervous systems, and thus the grosses body is related to them.
The chakras are an indication of the fullest potential of each and every person. Science has generally accepted that man uses very little of his potential and the chakras are clear indicators of this fact. The lowest of the human chakras, the mooladhara, represents the sexes of man where there are severe limitations both in knowledge and the ability to act. The main chakras are:
- Mooladhara chakra
- Swadisthana chakra
- Manipura chakra
- Anahata chakra
- Vishuddhi chakra
- Ajna chakra
- Bindu Visarga chakra (or) Soma chakra
- Sahasrava chakra
According to ancient yogic text there are totally 6 chakras, another two chakras (Ajna chakra and bindu visarga chakra (or) soma chakra included recently. But according to Chinese theory there are 12 chakras in the body).
MOOLADHARA CHAKRA (FIRST CHAKRA)
The word mool means ‘root’ and adhara means ‘place’. Therefore, it is known as the root center. LOCATION: Pelvic plexus, region between anus and genitals; the base of the spine, the first three vertebrae.
Meaning | - | Foundation |
BIJA (Seed) color | - | Gold |
Tattva (Element) | - | Earth |
Color of Tattva | - | Yellow |
Shape of Tattva | - | Square |
Predominant sense | - | Smell |
Sense organ | - | Nose |
Work organ | - | Anus |
Four lotus retails: | - | The four corners of work. |
Ruling planet | - | Mars (Solar, Masculine) |
Mooladhara chakra is the seat or dwelling place of primal energy, Kundalini shakthi. Kundalini is the per serpent coiler, i.e. Kundalini or coiled, three and a half times around Swayambhu lingam. Sattva is purity, rajar is activity and passion, and famous stands for media and darkness, the half coil combines all three and indicates the interplay of those coils.
SVADHISTHANA CHAKRA (SECOND CHAKRA)
The Sanskrit word ‘Sva’ means ‘self’ and “adhishtana” means ‘dwelling place’. A crimson lotus with six petals symbolizes this chakra.
Meaning | - | Dwelling place of the self |
Location | - | Hypogastric plexus, genitals |
Bija (seed) color | - | Gold |
Tattva | - | Water |
Color of Tattva | - | Light blue |
Shape of Tattva | - | Circle |
Predominant sense | - | Taste |
Sense organ | - | Tongue |
Work organ | - | Genitals |
Ruling planet | - | Mercury (lunar, feminine) |
Six lotus petals | - | The lotus is sacred. |
Svadhisthana chakra is the dead of the individual and collective unconscious, it is the storehouse of all Samskaras, postmental impressions stored in the form of arche types.
MANIPURA CHAKRA (THIRD CHAKRA)
The world Mani means ‘gem’ and pura means ‘city’. Manipura means ‘City of gems’ or ‘Gem city’.
Location | : | Solar plexus, epigastria plexus, navel |
BIJA color | : | Gold |
Tattva | : | Fine |
Shape of Tattva | : | Triangle |
Predominant sense | : | Sight |
Sense organ | : | Eyes |
Work organ | : | Feet and legs |
Ruling planet | : | Sun |
Ten lotus petals | : | The lotus is sacred |
Color of petals | : | Color of heavy rain clouds |
Manipura is the center of self-assertion, dynamism and dominance. It is associated with ambition and the will and ability to rule.
ANANTA CHAKRA (FOURTH CHAKRA)
Meaning of chakra name: “Unstricken”
Location | : | Cardiac Plexus, the heart |
Bija color | : | Gold |
Tattva | : | Air (Homeless, without smell or taste) |
Color of Tattva | : | Colorless |
Shape of Tattva | : | Hexagon |
Predominant sense | : | Touch |
Sense organ | : | Skin |
Work organ | : | Hands |
Ruling planet | : | Venus |
Twelve lotus petals | : | The lotus is sacred |
Color of the petals | : | Vermilion |
On the physical level, anahata is associated with the heart or lungs and the circulatory and respiratory system. Suffering of disease such as anemia, hypertension, palpitations, tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis may concentrate on anahata.
VISHUDDHA CHAKRA (FIFTH CHAKRA)
The world ‘Shuddhi’ means ‘purification’ and prefix ‘vi’ enhances the quality.
Meaning | : | ”pure” |
Location | : | Carotid plexus, throat |
BIJA (seed) color | : | Gold |
Aspects | : | Knowledge, the human plane |
Tattva | : | Akasha, sound |
Color of Tattva | : | Smoky purple |
Shape of Tattva | : | Crescent |
Predominant sense | : | Hearing |
Sense organ | : | Ears |
Work organ | : | Mouth (Vocal chords) |
Ruling planet | : | Jupiter |
Sixteen Lotus petals | : | Lotus is sacred |
Color of the petals | : | Smoky purple |
Vishuddhi chakra governs the vocal cord, the region of the larynx and the thyroid and parathyroid glands, disorder of this area of the physical body can be remitted by concentrating on this chakra.
AJNA CHAKRA (SIXTH CHAKRA)
The word ajna means ‘command’. In deeper states of meditation the disciple receiver commands and guidance from the guru, and from the divide or higher self, through this chakra.
Meaning “Authority, command, unlimited power”.
Locations: Medulla plexus, pineal plexus, point between the Eyebrows
BIJA (seed) color | : | Gold |
Tattva (elements) | : | Mochas tattva, in which all other tattva are present in their verifier pure essence (tanmatva). According to Samkhya philosophy, mahat, or maha tattva, consists of the three gunas and includes manas. |
Color of tattva | : | Camphor white |
Ruling planet | : | Saturn |
Shape of tattva | : | Circle |
Color of the petals | : | White |
Number of petals | : | Two |
Ajna corresponds to the pineal gland which has almost atrophied in the human being. On the psychic plane this point is the bridge between the mental and psychic dimensions, therefore, Ajana chakra is responsible for supramental faculties such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and telepathy.7
BINDU VISARGA CHAKRA (OR) SOMA CHAKRA
The word Bindu means “point” or “drop” and visarga means “to pour drop by drop”. This psychic center is also known as “soma chakra”, soma is the nectar of this gods and is also another name for the moon.
Meaning of chakra name: “Nectar, the moon”
Location: One of the minor chakra within the seventh chakra, soma locates above the “third eye” in the center of the forehead.
Ruling planet: Rahu
SAHASRAVA CHAKRA (SEVENTH CHAKRA)
The word Sahasrava means “one thousand”, Sahasrava is visualized as a shining lotus of a thousand petals, containing the 52 Bija mantra of the Sanskrit alphabet twenty times over. In the center of the lotus is a shining Jyotirlinga, lingam of light, symbol of pure consciousness. It is in Sahasrava that the mystical union of Shiva and shakthi that place, the fusion of consciousness with matter and energy, the individual soul with the supreme soul, when kundal awakens, it ascends through the chakras to sahasrava, any merge into the source from hence it originated matter any energy merge into pure consciousness in state of intoxicating, bliss, the goal of yoga, Having attained this, the yogi gains supreme knowledge and passes beyond birth and death.
Meaning of Chakra is thousand petals” also called shunya (“empty, void”, Chakra and Nirvana ajur) (“dwelling place without support”) chakra, Location Top of the cranium, cerebral plexus, soma chakra or kameshvara chakra are including in the location.
BIJA Color | : | Gold |
Yantra shape | : | Circle as a full moon |
Ruling planet | Ketu |
ASTANGA YOGA (THE UNIFYING DISCIPLINE OF THE EIGHT LIMBS)
There are eight limbs or steps, in Astanga yoga to attain final liberation. Sage Patanjali explains and about Astanga yoga in 196 Sutras in 4 padas. The 8 limbs or steps of Astanga yoga are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Among these the first 4 form the group of external practice (Bahiranga Sadhana) and rest 4 is internal practice (Antaranga Sadhana).
Yama and Niyama leads to moral strengthening. Asana and Pranayama lead to physical perfection. Pratyahara and Dharana lead to strengthening of mind Dhyana leads to spiritual progress and Samadhi leads to self-realization.
BROAD SPECTRUM OF PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS
“Yama Niyama Asana Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhayah as tan Angani”
-PYS II: 29*
Moral injunctions (yama), fixed observance (niyama), posture (asana), regulation of breath (paranayama), internalization of senses towards their source (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and absorption of consciousness in the self (Samadhi), are the eight constituents of yoga.
Functions of Seven Major Chakras |
App. Location | Gland | System | Organ | Function | Element | Mantra | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. CROWN CHAKRA (SAHASRVA) | The top of head | Pineal | Cerebro spinal nervous system | Upper brain Right eye | Spiritual vision enlightenment | Ether | OHMÁ |
2. BROW CHAKRA (AJNA) | Forehead between eyebrow | Pituitary | Autonomic nervous system Nose and Ears | Hypothalamus Lower Brain Spine. Left Eyes intelligence Light, Telepathy | Third Eye Intuition Clairvoyance | Ether | AUM AÇ |
3. THROAT CHAKRA (VISUDDHA) | Throat | Thyroid System | Lymphatic Upper lungs Alimentary Canal Bronchi anal and Vocal apparatus | Throat Self-expression Creative energy sound | Communication | Ether | GAM aÉÇ |
4. HEART CHAKRA (ANAHATA) | Heart | Thymus | Circulatory system Vagus Nerve Arms | Heart, lungs, blood, Liver Love Compassion Life-force | Group Consciousness | Air | HAM WûÇ |
5. SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA (MANIPURA) | Stomach | Pancreas | Digestive system Spleen | Liver, Stomach Gall bladder Large intestine action | Emotion Power Wisdom | Fire | RAM UÇ |
6. SACRAL CHAKRA (SWADHISTAN) | Below navel | Gonads | Reproductive system | Sex organs | Anger/Action Sexuality | Water | BAM oÉÇ |
7. ROOT CHAKRA (MOOLADHARA) | Base of spine | Adrenal skeleton | Excretory System Muscle Spinal Column Legs | Peace Kidneys Bladder Survival Grounding Fear | Kundalini Security Fear, physical energy | Earth | LAM sÉÇ |
YAMA (SELF DISCIPLINE)
“Ahimsa satya as teya brahmacarya aparigrahah yamah”
- PYS II: 30*
Non-violence, truth, abstention from stealing, continence, and absence of greed for possessions beyond ones need are the five pillars of yama.
NIYAMA (INJUNCTION)
“Sauca Santosa Tapah Svadhyaya Isvarapranidhanan Niyamah”
PYS II: 32
Cleanliness, contentment, religious zeal, self-study and surrender of the self to the supreme self or god are the niyamas.
ASANA (POSTURES)
“Stmira Sukham Asanam”
- PYS II : 46
Asana is perfect firmness of body, steadiness of intelligence and benevolence of spirit.
PRANAYAMA (BREATHING PATTERNS)
“Tasmin Satisvasa Prasvasayor Gativicchedah Pranayamah”
- PYS II: 49
Pranayama is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with retention. It is to be practiced only after perfection in asana is attained.
PRATYAHARA (INTROVERSION)
“Svavisaya Asamprayose Cittasya varupanukarah iva indrlyanam pratyaharah”
- PYS II: 54
With drawing the sense, mind and consciousness from contact with external objects, and then drawing them inwards the seer, is pratyahara.
DHARANA (CONCENTRATION)
“Desa Bandrah Cittasaya Dharana”
- PYS III: 1
Fixing the consciousness on one point or region is concentration (Dharana).
DHYANA (MEDITATION)
“Tatra Pratyaya Ekatanata Dhyanam”
- PYS III: 2
A steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region is meditation (Dhyana).
SAMADHI (SUPER CONSCIOUSNESS)
“Tadeva Artnamatraniv Bhasam Svarupasunyam Iva Samadhih”
- PYS III: 3
When the object of meditation engulfs the meditator, appearing as the subject, self-awareness is lost. This is Samadhi.
PATANJALI
(Pâté means falling and anjali is an oblation of hand folded in prayer).
Patanjali a great sage and the master of yoga, patanjali may have lived some time between 500 and 200 BC, he assumed human form experienced our sorrows and joys and learned to transcend them. In yoga sutras he described the ways of over coming the afflictions of the body and the fluctuation of the mind. His 196 sutras cover all aspect of life, beginning with a prescribed code of conduct and ending with man's vision of his true self. These sutras are divided into four padas (Chapter) they are
1. Samadhi pada (on contemplations) | - | 51 Sutras |
2. Sadhana pada (on practice) | - | 55 Sutras |
3. Vibhuti pada (on properties any power) | - | 56 Sutras |
4. Kaivalya pada (on emancipation and freedom) | - | 34 Sutras |
SAMADHI PADA
Samadhi means yoga and yoga means Samadhi. In this he explains the significance of yoga as well as of Samadhi.
“Yogah cittavrthi nirodhah”
-PYS I: 2
SADHANA PADA
Sadhana means practice, by the practice of yogic discipline, one isolated towards spiritual illumination.
“Yama niyama asana pranayama pratrahara dharana dhyana samadhayah astavangani”
- PYS II: 29
VIBHUTI PADA
Vibhuti pada has 56 Sutras. It explains about the properties of yoga and the art of integration through concentration, meditation, profound absorption, and supernatural powers.
“Desa bandhah cittasya dharana”
-PYS III: 1
KAIVALYA PADA
Kaivalya pada has 34 sutras, ‘Kaivalya’ means exclusiveness. It is release form Karma. Kaivalya is an absolute indivisible state of existence. In this he deals with necessary rejection of the supernatural powers which attend their spiritual ascent.
“Purusartha Sunyanam Sunanam Pratiprasarah Kaivalaym Svarupapratistha Va Citisakthi Ai”
-PYS IV: 34
HATHA YOGA
The Sanskrit roots of Hatha breakdown into Ha and Tha. “Ha” refers to the “Sun”, a positive masculine symbol. ‘Tha’ refers to the ‘Moon’ a receptive feminine symbol. Generally Hatha is understood as indicating the union of the positive, sun-drenched inhalation (Ha) with the cleansing, cooling exhalation (tha).
Hatha yoga may be defined as the “Science of uniting and coordinating the physical and mental aspects of one's being through consciously attempted discipline of the body”.
The original Sanskrit root from which Hatha derive is HATA, meaning “to strike a blow against”.
Hatha yoga is composed of three inseparable factors.
- Control of mind.
- Asana (bodily postures).
- Pranayama (control and regulation of breath)
RAJA YOGA (ROYAL YOGA)
The yoga of King, Raja yoga is explained in Purana. According to Raja yoga the external world is but the gross form of the internal or subtle. The finer is always the cause the grosser the effect, so the external world is effect.
Raja yoga proposes to start from the internal world to study internal nature and through that control the whole both internal and external world.
Kurma Purana states that Raja yoga is the highest order of all yoga. Here the yogi breakes the shell of Maya or illusion built around him through meditation. The enlightment of universal knowledge thus gained purifies his mind from all fallacies and ignorance.
There are two ways in which Raja yoga can be practiced, they are Abhava yoga and Maha yoga. Abhava yoga is the act of self-minimization. The yogi imagines himself as a subatomic entity occupying no space thereby destroying his ego.
Maha yoga on the other hand is the act of contemplating ourself as the universal self without boundaries. Here the yogi expands his consciousness and unifies himself with the vast expanse of the whole universe.
JNANA YOGA (THE YOGA OF KNOWLEDGE)
Jnana means Wisdom. Jnana yoga is the intellectual approach to spiritual evolution or realization 11through inquiry and analysis, the mind is used to examine its own nature. Jnana yoga is described in the 4th chapters of the Gita.
Jnana yoga represents the knowledge of the self in general. The self is present everywhere and all bodies are perishable. The self never perishes. It never dies even though the body is killed just as human being give up old clothes and wear new ones. Similarly the self give up old bodies and accepts new ones. The yoga of knowledge represents the knowledge of the self, whereas the self is eternal, omnipresent, imperishable and omniscient any person who realizes the form offered cannot be touched by any evil of this world. He can cross the ocean of the world with the boat of knowledge, as the burning fire reduces the fuel to ashes. Similarly the fire of knowledge destroys all activists a person he can attain knowledge, the purifying principle by the perfection of yoga.
CHARACTERS OF JNANA YOGI
A Jnani (jnana yogi) does not care a bit about the mind during meditation, a jnani remain as a Sakshin or silent witness of the mental modifications. This does not plus the vrittis, as a yogi is able to use the mind and body as instrument. A yogi can enter into Samadhi only in closed rooms, in an asana (Jada Samadhi), a yogi is affected by Maya, during walking state, when he is out at trance or out old Samadhi, a Jnani does not want an asana. He is in Samadhi while walking also (Chaitanya Samadhi), a yogi has a controller mind, and a jnani has a dual conscious e.g.: Just as a trained man type writes, plays on the piano while talking with other.
A jnani sets importance over mukti, a yogi passes through different stage from chakra to chakra scientifically.
BHAKTI YOGA
Bhakthi is devotion of unselfish love Isvara – Pranidihana (love) is a form at Bhakti yoga, Bhakti comes from the root “Bhaj” – to serve or be deeply interested in “Bhaj Sevayam” is the Sanskrit root. Bhakti is, therefore, an intense attachment to God or deep interest in God and thing concerned with God.
The Bhakti yoga of the Gita is described in the detail in 12th chapter, there a two type of Bhakti devotion to personal or impersonal God. The persons who devote their mind to God and always worship Him with complete faith are known as the great yogis. This is the personal form of devotion. The impersonal form of devotion requires devotion to the unmanaged for who is present everywhere. This love of unselfish origin is a ladder to final emanicipation.
Love for God give us liberation from “Samsara” man is an egoistic entity. His only enemy is the ego, A Bhakt says “O Lord! I am thine I am not a separate entity. I have no power to do anything you are joing everything taking myself as an instrument. O Lord! You are everywhere. I cannot even more, for you are everywhere. I have no independence, I am your slave. A slave has no optional view. I am doing nothing; you only are doing through me.
This is the highest of Love. This is Divine Love– the ego cannot assert itself for God alone is everywhere, the mind cannot modify itself into vrittis of sense and objects for him there are no object except God.
SELF–SURRENDER
(Self-surrender is the highest form of Bhakti. It is surrender of the ego or individuality)
Self-surrender is complete surrendering of the self to God. Self-surrender make the devotee feel the reality of divine grace and Lord Readiness to bestow on him help at all time.
PARA BHAKTI
Para Bhakti is the highest form of Bhakti, ordinary Bhakti which begins with the worship of idols with sandal paste, Flowers and arati ultimately culminates in Para bhakti. A devotee of this type12 does not worship idols when vaidhi bhakti (with idols, form of discipline reaches) its full growth it becomes Para shakti.
KARMA YOGA (YOGA OF ACTION)
“Nishkama Karma Yoga”
Karma yoga is the yoga of action or work, aims is to bring about integration, harmony and union through action. Karma yoga comprises of executing one's duty without attachment. It aims at extinguishing all desires for the fruits of one's action. Action or Karma is freed from the law of causality and does not constrain the individual to be reborn again. Karma yoga implies selfless, concentrated actions, with awareness.
Karma yoga teaches one to “give-give-give” without lightest hint of self-doubt. According to Gita the philosophy of action decrees man only with the right to perform action and authorized nature with its outcome.
But action is a duty of man; therefore, one should perform action without the desire of fruit. Since “action” is the only duty bestowed on man he should execute it with at most attention without the desire for its fruit. Karma yoga teaches one to treat the two importances of success and failure with the same equipoised state of mind, detached from the fruit of its actions.
The Karma yoga is also called the buddi yoga as it is directly related to the yoga of knowledge. The life of a person desiring fruit of action is miserable as his happiness is only short lived.
AIM OF KARMA YOGA
Karma yoga is the means to clean the mind of phobias, worries and anxiety related to work and it gives him courage to face the challenges on its face. It teaches to treat experience, irrespective of being good or bad, as a means for self-awareness.
NEVIYA YOGA (THE YOGA OF UNIVERSAL LOVE)
“Neviya yoga” is the sublimation of human ego into the boundless ocean of eternal love. ‘Ne’ means to surrender in love and ‘viya’ means everything. It opens human awareness by unifying the human mind with the universal soul, blurring the line between humanity and divinity. In simple terms, the concept of neviya yoga is based on curing human ailments with pure unconditional love. Usually, an individual knows to express love towards his friends and relatives, and possessions. This gives him joy which is fractional and momentary. Neviya yoga teaches to expand this love to encompass every entity living or non-living in this universe, and in that process making it unconditional and eternal. An unconditional love, which does not understand time, and circumstance, is by nature the purest form of energy. This nascent form of energy fills the entire being of a ‘yogi’ with eternal bliss and happiness (sat-chit-ananda) which is not bound by any material existence. At this point of time his existence itself becomes a cause for joy and cheerfulness free from any ill feelings. A mind free of negative thoughts, which knows only to ooze with the nectar of pure love, is free from any kind of disease and is at peace with itself. This is one of the many benefits of regular practice of neviya yoga.
FRUITS OF NEVIYA
Love softens the heart and removes, hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride, arrogance, etc. It infuses joy, divine ecstacy, bliss, and knowledge, all cares, worries, fears, anxieties, mental ferments and tribulation, entirely vanish. The Neviya Yogi frees from the Samsaric wheel of births and deaths. He attains the immortal abode of everlasting peace.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NEVIYA
Neviya yogi has equal visions for all. He has no enemity for anybody. He has exemplary character. He has a balance to minimize pain and coir, praise and censure. He regards money as piece of stone. 13He has neither anger nor lust. Neviya yogi regards all ladies as his own mother. The peace is always in his mind. He has always inner life or Antarmukha Vritti. He is full of Santhi and bliss.
One day a great sage with immense mystical and occult power was walking on the street. An old man seemingly unmoved by his presence walked past him. Enraged by this attitude of the old man the sage stops him and asks “don't you know who I am?” the old man seemingly intimidated answers “sorry, swami, I did not recognize you”. The sage despised by his ignorance proclaims in thundering voice, “after years of meditation I have the magical power to fly in the air”. The unfazed old man answers “that's what a parrot can also do?” petrified the sage continues, “I can stay alive inside the earth for long time and return unscathed.” The old man says in a convinced tone, “that even an earthworm can do.” The furious sage in a fist of anger says, “I can even live inside sea for as long as I wish, that's my power.” On hearing this, old man breaks into a laugh and says, “That is what fish is already doing since its birth”. Seeing this baffled sage asks, “What makes you laugh at the siddies that I gained with years of hard work and meditation. The old man answers, “I have never seen a more foolish person than you in my life that wasted his whole life to become a parrot, an earthworm and then a fish, but never tried to perfect what lies inside your heart.”
A sage goes to Himalayas and practices severe penance and austerities for 18 long years. Finally, he gets the siddhi of walking on water without getting wet. Happy and contented, he plans to return home. On his way back, he reaches the bank of Ganges where a man was sitting on the shore waiting for the boat to cross the river. The sage smiles and says, “I have the power to walk on this water without getting drenched in it. I had worked 18 long years to get this siddhi”. The man answers, “you worked 18 years to cross this river when you can easily do that in 10 minutes by the help of a boat. You could have utilized that time for better pursuits”. The sage realizes his mistake hangs his face in despair and walks away.
Moral of both the stories does “never waste your time and energy in becoming someone or something else. Instead, explore and perfect the human heart and mind with Niveya yoga which unleashes the abundant love strangled inside it.”
ABHAVA YOGA
A concept found in the puranas meaning the power of non-existence, the higher yogic practice of plunging into the self without any external support such as mantras.
ADHYATMA YOGA
A concept characteristic of the Upanishads meaning the unifying discipline of the inner self, synonymous with the practice of yoga.
ASPARSHA YOGA
The discipline of non-contact expounded by Gaudapada in his manelalya tracuka.
BUDDHI YOGA
The discipline of the higher mind, first mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gita – Gita.
DHYANA YOGA
The profound discipline of meditation.
GHATASTHA YOGA
The discipline of the ghata, the body. It is mentioned in the Gheranda – Samhita.
GURU YOGA
The discipline relative to one's teacher.