Yoga is a term which is used to mean multiple things at various times in History and the confusion and varied usage in literature continues to date. Three very important meanings which comprehensively cover all the possible understanding of the word shall be dealt with here
Yoga in the true sense is a goal or a ‘State of Being’ which is the end-result, irrespective of the path chosen to reach that state.
Yoga etymologically emerges from the root word ‘Yuj’ which means to Yoke or to unite or Union.
Yoga is also used to denote a practice, a path chosen or the means to reach a particular goal. The goal itself is Kaivalyam, Samadhi, Moksha, Nirvana etc
Yoga as a Goal
When we use yoga to mean the goal, yoga is a ‘State of being’. What is that state is explained beautifully in various scriptures.
Katha upanishad ( 3rd century BCE ) - 2:11
"Siddhy taam yogam iti sthiram indriyadharanam
Apraamattah tada bhavati yogah hi prabhaavaapyayau"
They consider that state in which the senses are in steady control as yoga. One becomes unerring at that time, for yoga ( this state of being ) is subject to growth and decay.
Patanjali Yoga sutra ( 325-425 CE) - 1:2
"Yogas chitta vritti niridhah"
The state of cessation of fluctuations of mind is Yoga.
Bhagavad Geeta - 2:48
"Yoga- sthah kuru karmaani sangam tyaktv dhanajaya
Siddhy asiddhhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga uchyate"
Be steadfast in the performance of your duty O Arjuna,abandoning attachment to success and failure. Such equanimity of mind is called yoga
Yoga to mean Union
When yoga is meant to denote Union, the obvious question is, union between which entities? It is variously explained as
Union between the Human existence in the form of mind-body complex and his true self, or the witness/ spirit within.
Union between individual self (atman) and the divine or supreme (Brahman) , individual consciousness and universal consciousness or, Jiva-deva samarati.
Union with an element or tatva such as fire, water etc
Union (saMvega) between all the dualities ( dvandva ) - Yogabija
Yoga as a Path (to salvation)
Yoga is also used as a suffix to denote a path or a practice method, to attain salvation or a realized state. (What is a realized state / meaning of salvation, shall be dealt with in a separate blog). Whenever the word Yoga is used as a suffix to another word, these words together mean that the particular path or method of practice is , in itself, an independent path, which, when followed or practiced in its true spirit, leads to salvation. It does not need the help or involvement of any other practice to succeed. Most important paths that are practiced are Karma- yoga, Bhakti- yoga, Jnana- yoga, Hatha yoga, Raja- yoga.
1.Karma Yoga - Path of Selfless service
Every act of a karma yogi is a selfless act without expectation of a personal gain or reward. He offers his actions as a service to God,detaches himself from the fruits of action. Duty is performed with dedication and detachment.This purifies the heart and erases the ego.
2. Bhakti- Yoga - Path of Devotion
Unconditional and intense love of God is Bhakti, wherein one completely dedicates or submits one’s will to the supreme and gets absorbed in everything Divine.
3. Jnana- Yoga - the path of knowledge
One uses the intellect to discern between what is true and untrue, what is self and non-self, from what is permanent from impermanent and what is painful from painless. He does it through the steps of shravana- hearing or gathering the right information, manana - silent reflection upon the collected information and nididhyasana -meditation or contemplation. This path is the most difficult path amongst the various paths of yoga.
4. Hatha Yoga - Disciplining the body to silence the mind. This is a path that focuses on body centric practices through Shatkarmas- body cleansing, Asana- postures, Pranayama- breath control, Mudras- symbolic gestures, Bandhas- Locks to gradually build shakti or the creative energy lying dormant within, to reach the state of awakening called Unmani or Manonmani avastha.
5. Raja Yoga - The penultimate path that is traversed by all paths of yoga before mind reaches yoga sthithi - the state of yoga , where it is in absolute equanimity. Initially the knower,what is to be known (knowledge) and the object to be known become one, and this state is called objective samadhi or Samprajnata,savitarka or savikalpa samadhi. From here the mind merges into a superconscious state called asamprajnata or nirvitarka or nirvikalpa samadhi. In a superconscious state , no intelligence or logic is needed to know anything,it just occurs to your mind (Niratishaya jnana) and you simply know about everything in creation by transcending the barriers of this physical existence.
Yoga no doubt has become popular, but has also become the most misused word and practice today. While it means an Indian way of exercise for some, others understand it as body contortion practice, calling it yoga or asana etc. Some others consider it to be breathing practice, relaxation technique. It is also portrayed as a religion in some contexts! It has thus become prudent to understand the true meaning of yoga as was originally meant to be.
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