Yoga - An Introduction

Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the word “yuj” meaning "to bind closely" and "to bring under yoke." To bind one’s self with god or one’s true Self is Yoga. The word also means ‘Samadhi” or a state of higher consciousness that transcends mind. Yoga means transforming consciousness and attaining self realization. This further means transcending body, life and mind and enter into highest consciousness i.e. ultimate or supreme consciousness of Brahman. Yoga means liberation from sufferings, karma and rebirth.

In one sense, the words "yoga" and "religion" essentially carry the same definition; i.e., "to yoke" ("yuj/yoga") to the Self and "to link or bind" ("religion") to the Self or Brahman. It may also be noted that ancient Indians had no identification with the word Hindu which is known as religion in modern age. Self, Atman, Brahman and ultimate consciousness opens the door to one of oldest, rich, eternal tradition (Sanatan Dharma). The eternal dharma is the essential nature of every human being on earth that is to know, awaken and experience what one really is.

The word “Yoga” is not found in any other Holy Scriptures or theological texts of the world except Veda.

The first recorded evidence of the word "yoga" is found in the Vedas: "Seers of the vast illumined Seer yogically control their minds and intelligence." Rig Veda V.81.

Recorded evidence of the word Yoga

Rig Veda V.81 (The oldest written scripture in the world) says "Seers of the vast illumined state yogically control their minds and intelligence." Rig Veda is the first of the four classified Veda Books of ancient India . Rig Veda has two Aryanaka (books written in forests and practices that can be done in woods) i.e. Aiterya and Shankhayana.

The Aiterya explains about Prana and practices of Pranayama, one of the essential organs of Yoga.

The famous dictionaries defines the meaning of the word Yoga in the following ways

• Sanskrit n. The ancient language of the Hindus ... [From: Webster’s Dictionary]
• yoga [Sanskrit lit. union] Hinduism ... [From Webster’s]
• Yoga: oneness of Atman and Brahman. [From: A Dictionary of Sanskrit Names] This is the true definition of the Sanskrit word "yoga."
• Yoga (yoga) (Skt.,=union) general term for spiritual disciplines in Hinduism ... [From Columbia Encyclopedia Sixth Edition 2000]
• Yoga: a Hindu system ... [The Oxford American Dictionary]
• Yoga: a system of Hindu religious philosophy ... [Thorndike Barnhardt Comprehensive Desk Dictionary]
• Yoga: a Hindu discipline ... [The American Heritage Dictionary]
• The Yoga System: One of the Six Acceptable Systems of Hindu Philosophy [From a secular book on comparative religions: Religions of Man Macmillan Co., 1969, 202-203.]

Roughly, many definitions written above directly or indirectly convey the same meaning. Yoga is one of the six organs of Vedic philosophies that explain the true nature of individual, world and transcendental consciousness by which all sufferings comes to an end. The state absent from suffering is known as Liberation, Self realization, Kavailya, and Mukti. Yoga is associated with many forms of practices i.e. physical, breathing, emotional, mental, concentration, Yantra, mantra, Japa, contemplation, reasoning, reflection, Yajna etc but true practitioner. But famous dictionaries while mentioning Yoga as Hindu discipline did not take into an account the important fact that there was no religion like Hinduism when yoga was discovered.

Yoga and religion

The words "yoga" and "religion" essentially carry the same definition; i.e., "to yoke" ("yuj/yoga") to the Self and "to link or bind" ("religio") to the Self or Brahman. But yoga is not an organized religion – includes customary faith, routine, do’s and don’ts. There was no religion at the time of origin of Yoga. Spirituality manifest is religion, when it is organized. However Spirituality is main concern of Yoga. If religion offers freedom of faith on any god, any practice depending upon his/her temperament to follow any practice of contemplation and meditation and

Modern definitions about yoga

Yoga can be explained in modern terms while considering many age old definitions into account. Few definitions are :

• A discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility
• A system of exercises practiced as part of this discipline to promote control of the body and mind.
• General term for spiritual disciplines
• A set of mental and physical exercises aimed at producing spiritual enlightenment
• Variety of traditions geared towards self-discipline, the realization the Self, and unity of the Self with God

No Holy text of world refer the word Yoga except Veda.

Self management is Yoga

• When a Yogi has control on his 5 organs of action, 5 organs of perception and mind through the power of Yoga, in this way when he does meditation, then he sees God (realize God within his soul)- (Rig Veda Mantra I, Sukta 93 Mandal 9)
• God kindly be firmly established in our hearts during the Yogic and devotional morning practices inhalation, exhalation (Pranayam). – (Sam Veda's Mantra No 50)
• Omnipresent God, Thou are realized by the Yogis/Tapsavis/wisers in their hearts through the power of Yoga i.e. Pranayam and meditation etc. (Sam Veda Mantra no 908)

Rig Veda 9 Aryanka:

Rig Veda has two Aryanaka i.e. Aiterya and Shankhayana.

Reference of Yoga practices in Aiterya.

“I have realized Prana. This Prana is indestructible and protector of all senses. This Prana enters through mouth and nose into body and comes out through it. This dwells in the body as Vayu, but Sun is main deity”.

Definitions of Yoga from Upanishads

Amritbindupnishad

This Upanishads explains the six organs of Yoga namely Pratyahara, Dhyan, Pranayama, Logic, Dharana and Samadhi.

Mind attached to objects brings bondage and detached to objects brings freedom.

Trishikhabrahmnopnishad

This Upanishad explains about eight limbed path of Yoga. It makes Samadhi more clearly by saying, ‘I am Para Brahman or ultimate reality or Brahman. When the practitioner reaches to this state in which there is total absence of all contents of modifications of mind.’

Pashupatbrahmopnishad

This Upanishad explains about Jnana Yoga or the path of knowledge. ‘Hansa’ Japa is indestructible Brahman. Brahman is realised by this Japa. Supreme consciousness and Purusha are one.

Yogkundalyupnishad

Desires and Prana are two causes of Chitta or mind. Destroying one destroys the other. But one should always achieve victory over Prana first. This should follow practices of Mitahara, Asana and Sakti chalana (awakening Kundalini).

This Upanishad advocates that Jnana and Yoga both are required for liberation. It is further said that Yoga without Jnana (knowledge) can never be liberating. Jnana without Yoga can not help in attaining liberation.

Yogshikhopnishad

There are four roles of Yoga i.e. Mantra, Laya, Hatha and Raja Yoga. All four are essentially one that is why they are known as four ways of Yoga.

Union between the Prana and Apana is known as four fold Yoga

Maitrî-Upanishad
"Yoga is said to be the oneness of breath, mind, and senses, and the abandonment of all states of existence.“

Katha-Upanishad
"This they consider Yoga: the steady holding of the senses."

Yogachudamaniupanishad I-2

There are six organs of Yoga namely – Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyan, Samadhi.

Trishikhbrhmanupanishad -19, 20

Yoga leads to Jnana and Jnana leads to Yoga-19

Yogi who is always absorbed in Jnana, never destroyed. He always witness Shiva (Ultimate Consciousness) even in illusions

The aim of Tarak Yoga is to witness the “Light” that is present above the middle of the eyebrows.

Yogkundalyopanishad-2-5, 7

This Upanishad expains about the process of Yoga as under:

First Sadhaka must attain victory over Prana by practice of Mitahara, Asana and Shaktichalana. Mitahara means taking food for attaining the divine. Practice Padamasana and Siddhasana. Taking Kundalini to eyebrow centre is Shaktichalana

The way step of lotus suck the water, similarly the Prana is sucked by Yoga Sadhaka. There are six organs of Yoga- Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana , Dhaya, Samadhi

SriKrishnacharitmanas by Daudayalgupt

When Dharana, Dhyan and Samadhi become One , no Vyadhi or Ignorance remains. When all three results in absorption, Prajna Loka ( state of highest consciousness) dawns.

Ramacharitmanas - Tulsidas

Yoga is perfected by dropping of three gunas- Sat, Rajas and Tamas. Dharma leads to renunciation, Yoga leads to Jnana and Jnana brings Self realization.

Defintions from Bhagvad Gita

Fixed in Yoga, do thy work, O winner of wealth (Arjuna), abandoning attachment, with an even mind in success and failure, for even of mind is Yoga

Yogasth- steadfast in inner composure

Samatwam - inner poise, equanimity , self mastery or conquest over dualities –pain, pleasure, pride and ambition

One who has yoked his intelligence (with Divine) (or is established in his intelligence) casts away even here both good and evil. Therefore strive for Yoga, Yoga is skill in action.

Transcending beyond ethics with its understanding of good and evil.

When thy intelligence, which is bewildered by the Vedic texts, shall stand unshaken and stable in spirit (Samadhi), then shalt thou attain to insight (Yoga?)

Buddhiyoga is the method by which one goes beyond Vedic ritualism and does one’s duty without any attachment for the results of actions.
Act with equanimity is more important than one’s action. The question is how one act not what one does.