Mokshaa Yoga
Yoga Ayurveda
Yoga and
Ayurveda are the unique science of
antiquity.
Both were developed and practiced in
similar circumstances with similar
objectives
in the same land. It may be pointed that
Yoga and Ayurveda both are based on
similar
concept of human existence. Yoga and
Ayurveda are allied disciplines. Both
have
advocated Aushadhi, Mantra, Japa,
Samadhi etc.as the means of achieving
their
objectives. Besides spritiual paths,
Yoga also teaches the use of drugs for
Chitta-shuddhi. Similarly, besides
Aushadhi, Anna, Vihara ( drug, diets
etc.)
Ayurveda also teaches the practice of
Yoga. Thus there is a similarity in the
approach of these two human sciences,
though the emphasis varies.
Charaka Samhita the most important
treatise of Ayurveda is like the ocean
of
knowledge. It is said that a single
verse from Charaka Samhita can elaborate
a full
treatise. Thus like Mahabharata Charaka
also quotes-
यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित् । (च. सि. 12/54)
Thus it is treasure of knowledge from
life science to philosophy. Charaka
Samhita,
one of the foremost Ayurvedic classics,
deals with the highest category of Yoga.
The
Yoga Sutras is the most elaborate
ancient work we have on Yoga Darshan. We
owe much
to Maharshi Patanjali for his ability to
collect and assess the later present a
workable Yoga system in his Yoga Sutras.
Ayurveda an eternal system of medicine,
is
known for it’s multidimensional approach
towards mankind. Utility of this science
starts right from fertilization to
death, personal to public hygiene, diet
and
regimen to medicines and so on. Ayurveda
and health are very closely related and
supplementary to each other. Ayurveda
does not concern with physical health
only but
spiritual and mental health also.
Physical and Mental health are
interdependent and complimentary aspects
of Ayurveda.
Mental health is not a stage free from
mental ailment but a vision of life
which can
be perceived in the total personality
including thought process, emotions and
minute
feelings. Charaka has stated the Mool
Pravrutti of an individual is Sukh. The
criteria of Mental health are the
definition of Sukhayu by Charaka ( Ch.
Su. 22/4 )
. Satvasara is another concept which is
very closer to the norms of Mental
health as
Stated by western scientists in this
regard.
युजिर योगे। (धातुपाठ 1469)
‘Yujira’
meaning to unite, to combine or to
integrate
and thus may be taken to mean a state of
union or integration i.e. the union of
the
individual soul or consciousness with
the cosmic, divine or supreme soul or
consciousness or a total integration of
the physical, mental, intellectual and
the
spiritual aspect of human personality.
The word, Yoga appears to have been used
very
profusely in Mahabharata to denote the
way or means for achieving a goal or as
a
means of achieving the state of self
realization . The means and ways
advocated by
Lord Krushna to the Pandavas for
achieving the victory over the Kauravas
which could
include the diplomacies of the war and
the planning at the battle field1, all
these
appeared to have been referred by the
word Yoga.
Definition
The
traditional concept of Yoga needs
further exposition
in relation to the three traditional
classics –
- The early Upanishad.
- Yogasutra of Patanjali.
- Bhagavadgita
The central theme of the concept of
Yoga in early Upanishads is around the
science
of meditation and self realization. The
state of Yoga as conceived in
Kathopanishad
and also in Maitriupanishad reads “that
they say, is the highest state when the
five
senses of knowledge together with the
mind cease from their normal activity
and the
intellect does not stir2. Yoga in
Upanishadika contexts is related to
spiritual
uplift and self realization including
higher consciousness and awareness.
Classification of Yoga
Yoga is classified in different ways in
different contexts by different texts.
A] Karma Yoga, Dnyana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga6.
B] Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga7.
C] Maha Yoga Consisting of above four as its components8.
Besides, a number of other categories of Yoga appear in different contexts. Each of eighteen chapters of Bhagvatgita has been named as Yogashastra and each chapter is named as Yoga. However, the eighteen chapters are not considered as eighteen varieties of Yoga but are usually classed in three groups i.e.viz. Karma Yoga, Dnyana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Mantra Yoga refers to the achievement of certain Siddhis with the help of enchanting of certain Mantras of the goods like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva etc9. Similarly Laya Yoga is the method of achieving certain Siddhis of Yoga by Getting oneself absorbed in the nine chakras10. Hata Yoga appears to have been described in detail in Yogatatvoupanishad. Hathayogapradipika considers Asana, pranayam, Mudra and Nada Anusandhana as the major Hatayoga practices and advocates that these Hathayogic practices may be practiced till the achievement of Rajayoga considering such practices as preparatory for Raja Yoga11.
Raja Yoga appears to be a term used for describing the most superior quality of Yoga. We find many controversies regardingon the nature of Raja Yoga. Yogashikhopanishad considers Raja Yoga as the union of the Rajas and the Retas12. Certain authors considering the Mana as the master of Indriyas accepts the Yoga of mind ( Raja ) i.e.Manovijaya as Rajayoga. However, conventionally the science and art of Yoga described by Patanjali is known as Rajayoga and generally it is called Raja Yoga because it ia the best quality of Yoga, although Patanjali himself has never named his system of yoga as Raja Yoga.
A] Karma Yoga, Dnyana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga6.
B] Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga7.
C] Maha Yoga Consisting of above four as its components8.
Besides, a number of other categories of Yoga appear in different contexts. Each of eighteen chapters of Bhagvatgita has been named as Yogashastra and each chapter is named as Yoga. However, the eighteen chapters are not considered as eighteen varieties of Yoga but are usually classed in three groups i.e.viz. Karma Yoga, Dnyana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Mantra Yoga refers to the achievement of certain Siddhis with the help of enchanting of certain Mantras of the goods like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva etc9. Similarly Laya Yoga is the method of achieving certain Siddhis of Yoga by Getting oneself absorbed in the nine chakras10. Hata Yoga appears to have been described in detail in Yogatatvoupanishad. Hathayogapradipika considers Asana, pranayam, Mudra and Nada Anusandhana as the major Hatayoga practices and advocates that these Hathayogic practices may be practiced till the achievement of Rajayoga considering such practices as preparatory for Raja Yoga11.
Raja Yoga appears to be a term used for describing the most superior quality of Yoga. We find many controversies regardingon the nature of Raja Yoga. Yogashikhopanishad considers Raja Yoga as the union of the Rajas and the Retas12. Certain authors considering the Mana as the master of Indriyas accepts the Yoga of mind ( Raja ) i.e.Manovijaya as Rajayoga. However, conventionally the science and art of Yoga described by Patanjali is known as Rajayoga and generally it is called Raja Yoga because it ia the best quality of Yoga, although Patanjali himself has never named his system of yoga as Raja Yoga.
Patanjali Yogasutra
1.Yogasutra
:
Yoga means union, to join; it is the same as the absorption in the state of Samadhi. Sutra means thread, and this thread, or multiple threads weave a tapestry of insight and direct experience. Some say that the name of the text uses the word sutra in its plural form, as Yoga Sutras, in that each of the sutras, or threads, comes together to form a complete tapestry. Others say that it is used in its singular form, as Yoga Sutra, in that there is one , consistent thread that flows through the entire text. The word implies that the written word carry an underlying continuous thought , the various ideas connect together like beads on a mala to form a complete philosophy.
2.Period :
Yoga Sutras are thought to be as old as 560 BC, archaeological evidence and other texts suggest that he methods describes in the Yoga Sutras were being practiced as early as 3000 BCE. Oral tradition states that the period may be even longer.
3.Synonyms :
Yoga means union, to join; it is the same as the absorption in the state of Samadhi. Sutra means thread, and this thread, or multiple threads weave a tapestry of insight and direct experience. Some say that the name of the text uses the word sutra in its plural form, as Yoga Sutras, in that each of the sutras, or threads, comes together to form a complete tapestry. Others say that it is used in its singular form, as Yoga Sutra, in that there is one , consistent thread that flows through the entire text. The word implies that the written word carry an underlying continuous thought , the various ideas connect together like beads on a mala to form a complete philosophy.
2.Period :
Yoga Sutras are thought to be as old as 560 BC, archaeological evidence and other texts suggest that he methods describes in the Yoga Sutras were being practiced as early as 3000 BCE. Oral tradition states that the period may be even longer.
3.Synonyms :
- Raja Yoga ( Best quality of Yoga )
- Ashtanga Yoga ( Ashta – eight, Anga – Rungs ) Eight fold path of Yoga- Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahara, Dharana,Dhyana, and Samadhi.
- Sankhya Pravachana ( detailed explaination of Sankhya )
- Seshwar sankhya