Upadesa Saram - Post 13

INTRODUCTION TO RAJA YOGA AND ASHTANGA YOGA

Raja Yoga is the king of all Yogas. It concerns directly with the mind. In this Yoga, there is no struggling with Prana or physical body. There are no Hatha Yogic Kriyas. The Yogi sits at ease, watches his mind and silences the bubbling thoughts. 

Patanjali Maharshi is the exponent of Yoga Philosophy. Now Patanjali is regarded as the last of the Avataras. You will find in Yajnavalkya Smriti that Hiranyagarbha was the original teacher of Yoga. 

Patanjali Maharshi is only a compiler or explainer of the Yogic precepts, doctrines and tenets taught by Hiranyagarbha.

According to Raja Yoga, there are three types of aspirants - Uttama, Madhyama and Adhama Adhikaris. To three classes of aspirants Raja Yoga prescribes three kinds of Sadhana. 

To the Uttama Adhikari (first-class aspirant) Raja Yoga prescribes Abhyasa and Vairagya. He practices meditation on the Self; 

To the Madhyama Adhikari (middling aspirant) Raja Yoga prescribes the Kriya Yoga - Tapas, Svadhyaya and Ishvarapranidhana. 

Tapas is austerity. Egolessness and selfless service are the greatest forms of Tapas. Humility and desirelessness are the greatest forms of austerity.

Svadhyaya is study of spiritual literature and also Japa of your Ishta Mantra. 

Ishvarapranidhana is self-surrender to the Lord and doing all actions as Ishvararpana, as offering unto the Lord. 

To the Adhama Adhikari, aspirant in early stage, Raja Yoga prescribes Ashtanga Yoga or the eightfold Sadhana - Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. 

Ashtanga Yoga

Patanjali's Raja Yoga is generally termed the Ashtanga Yoga or the Yoga of Eight Limbs, through the practice of which freedom is achieved. These eight limbs are: 

1.    Yama or Eternal Vows: 

·         Ahimsa (non-violence) 

·         Satya (truth) 

·         Asteya (non-stealing) 

·         Brahmacharya (continence) and 

·         Aparigraha (non-avariciousness); 

2.  Niyama or Observances: 

·         Saucha (purity) 

·         Santosha (contentment) 

·         Tapas (austerities) 

·         Svadhyaya (study) and 

·         Ishvarapranidhana (surrender to God); 

3.  Asana (firm, comfortable meditative posture); 

4.  Pranayama (the regulation of the Vital Force); 

5.  Pratyahara (abstraction of the senses and mind from objects); 

6.  Dharana (concentration); 

7.   Dhyana (meditation); and 

8.  Samadhi (super conscious state or trance) 

These eight limbs have been scientifically arranged and dealt with. They are the natural steps in the ladder which takes man from his human to the real divine nature. 

It is enough to know this much, before entering into the Upadesa Saram verses on Ashtanga Yoga from tomorrow.

Love.