Ashtaanga Yoga

11/30/09

This time, wish to convey some details in brief regarding the Ashtaanga Yoga (eightfoldpath of Yoga) by Patanjali. This has been held in high esteem since long, in India and worldover. This great Sage of India has given a clear cut step-by-step process, from the gross to the subtle, in these eight stages. Many Swamijis and celebrities have been extolling and discoursing on Patanjali's Yoga, and his Sootra-s. In recent times, the great Institution of Patanjali Yoga Peeth was established by the renowned Swami Ramdev Baba, rendering great service to one and all.

The following are the eight stages of this Ashtaanga Yoga:  1. Yama  2. Niyama  3. Aasana  4. Pranayama  5. Pratyahara  6. Dhaarana   7. Dhyaana  8. Samadhi. The first four are 'bahiranga' (external), and the latter four are 'antaranga' (internal). 

1. Yama;  Consists of (1) Ahimsa   (2)  Satyam (Truth)   (3) Aasteya (abstaining from theft, corruption, adulteration and such other misdeeds, and also not abettting them in others)    (4) Control over  the five sense-organs, the five organs of action, and the mind, to ensure good conduct in life,  and   (5) Aparigraha, moderation in physical pleasures, and anxious for other's welfare.  

2. Niyama: Related to the blossoming of Self.  (1) Bodily and mental purity   (2) Happiness. Contentment   and happy living   (3) Tapa. Tolerance, fortitude and peace of mind.     (4) Swaadhyaaya. Self-study   and Satsang (keeping good company).   (5) Saranaagati. Seeking refuge in God, subduing ego. Also imply nishkaama-karma (action without concern of fruit), and service to community.  

3. Aasana:  Doing Yogaasana-s. Enabling limbs to develop strength and flexibility.  

4. Pranayama:  Breath exercises.  Good for physical and mental health.  Prana + Ayama. Praana is life-force.   Ayama means extension. Extending life-energy. This protects health and affords control of mind.  

5.  Pratyahara: Art of reversing direction of traffic from mind to senses, and senses to objects. Now from  objects to senses, then to mind, and then to Consciousness. Observing respiration, and uttering  OM  and SOAHAM will facilitate this process. 

6.  Dhaarana:  Concentrating the mind on any one thing: a Chosen Deity, or Mantra, or a cherished   symbol.  Saadhana includes change in life-style re diet, conduct, daily chores etc.  

7.  Dhyaana:  Intensely focussing mind exclusively on one thing alone, and keeping it firm and steady.  

8.  Samaadhi:  Identifying with the objective of Dhyaanaa after overcoming all obstacles, and remaining in   that state. The meditator, meditation, and the objective of meditation, all merge into One. The union   of the individual and Supreme Souls.             

In this context, I wish to briefly refer to the basic aphorisms of Patanjali Yoga Sootra-s 1. Adha Yogaanusaasanam:  Yoga is not a discourse, but a set of instructions to be followed.

2. Yogaha Chitta Vritti Noroadhaha:  Mental activity has been a reaction to environment. When the  reaction is suspended, real action begins. This implies suspending reactive nature of mind and senses.  

3. Tadaa Drashtaha Swaroopyrava Sthaanam:  While the negative centre of Consciousness gathers  impressions from environment, thru the senses, the positive centre shines forth as the faculties of mind and senses. Thus when reaction is suspended, one would find the real nature (Swaroopa).      

4. Abhyaasa Vyraagyam Tanniroadhaha:  Yoga abhyaasa means repeated application of Yogic  Consciousness to grow aware of everything we do. Vyraagya (detachment) means to grow passive to the environment, that includes your relationships and belongings. By these two means, the Chitta vritti Niroadha is rendered possible.   

Well, this is a brief exposure to the Patanjali Yoga and Sootra-s.