The word ‘Yoga’ has been used in Vedas, upanisada, Gita and Mythological scriptures etc. since ancient times. It is a very popular and important term in the Indian context and worldwide. Be it in devotion, self realization or in the day to day work arena, yoga deals extensively with every aspect of our life according to these classics.
Patanjali defines ‘Yoga as eradication of negative moods, transposition, alternate option, and memory ar the five moods. With the practice of yoga with dedication and devotion one eliminates these negative moods and the mind finds solace in merging with the soul – this is Yoga.
Maharshi Vyas described Yoga as Samadhi. The Sanskrit grammer show that yoga derived from the root ‘Yuj’. In short we can say that the controlled practices which results in the meeting of Atma and Param atma (Soul and supreme soul) is Yoga.
The sages believe that sole purpose of Yoga is to merge with the supreme soul. When one eradicates all negative emotions by following yoga, the detachment to momentary emotions and moods follows and control of one’s life is achieved. The mind has five phases Kshipta , Mudha, Vikshipta, Ekagra, and Nirudha. The first three phases are not capable of reaching the high state of Samadhi. The fourth and fifth phase of mind enables one to reach a state. Where in one loses the bondage of Karma and one can attain Sampradnyat Samadhi and Asampradnyat Samadhi.
When Samadhi is obtained with the help of an object or idea (that is , by fixing one’s thought on a point in space or on an idea) the stasis is called Samprajnata Samadhi (enstasis with support) or differentiated enstasis when on the other hand, Samadhi is obtained apart.
From any relation (whether external or mental ) that is when one obtains conjunction into which no otherness enters but which is simply a full comprehension of being one has realized asamprajnata – Samadhi.
Types of Yoga
The four types of Yoga stated below have been described in the classical of Dattatreya yoga sutra and Yoga Raj Upanishad. The characteristics of each type of Yoga have been thus described in the elementary Yoga Tattvopanishad.
- Mantra yoga: It compromises of the chanting of Matrukadi mantra systematically over 12years, which gives you Anima. It is minuteness to become as small as an atom to identify himself with the smallest part of the universe, knowing the self in that atom to be one with himself. This is due to the fact that the anima mundi, or soul of the world , is universally spread throughtout all aspects of divine life and other spiritual power.
- Laya Yoga is comstantly remembering God all the time, while performing daily activities.
- Hatha Yoga compromises the practices of various Asana , Mudras, Pranayama and kriya for the purification of the body and concentration of the mind.
- Raja Yoga comprises the observance of Yama self restraint, Niyama Scriptural prescription etc. which help to purify the mind , intellect and thereby enlighten the soul. The meaning of the word Yoga is Raja Yoga is to illuminate or to brighten and meaning of Yoga is Samadhi or trasdental meditation. The Gita embodies the detailed analysis of Dhyana Yoga, Sankhya Yoga and karma Yoga. Maharshi patanjali has captured the essence of Yoga by describing the Asthanga Yoga in the Yoga sutra. When one look into the classics of Yoga to know the secrets, one arrives at the conclusion that methods and processes which are used for attaining spirituality and devotion may be categorized as Yoga.
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