登录查看更多内容

Discovering Yoga's Hidden Depths: Insights from the Bhagavad Gita

Jaydeep Parmar

Linkedin Top Voice | Chief Manager- Strategic Initiatives at MCPI?Private Limited | Angel Investor | Train The Trainer certified | 3.5 lacs+ content impressions | Ex-Exide | Ex-HPCL | Ex-IOCL | IIM Calcutta | ICT Mumbai

发布日期: 2024年6月21日

Have you heard the name Yoga? Well, you will hardly find anyone in this world who has not heard about Yoga. However, very few people know the true meaning of Yoga, and only a handful understand its essence and objective.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means "Union with God." There are many literatures on yoga practices and their importance. But, you will find the true meaning of it explained perfectly in the life manual, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. As the name suggests, it is the Song/Poem of God. It was written by Veda Vyasa Rishi around 5000 years ago. However, Bhagavad Gita is much older than that and was respoken at the time of Mahabharat for the benefit of the whole mankind through Arjuna. There is a verse in Bhagavad Gita itself wherein Lord Krishna explains this to Arjuna.

Now, if we talk about Yoga, there are primarily four kinds of Yoga mentioned in Bhagavad Gita to achieve the highest destination of life, Lord's abode (spiritual world where there is no problem and eternal happiness). It is strange that people only know about the Hatha Yoga process to keep the body and mind healthy. However, Lord Krishna focuses on four kinds of Yoga: Karma Yoga, Dhyan Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga.

Karma Yoga

Sakama Karma Yoga: In this form, one attempts to renounce the fruits of labor, but still, attachment is there. However, the person understands the principle of the Vedic process and god consciousness.

Nishkama Karma Yoga: In this form, one gives up the attachment to the fruits of work but remains attached to the work itself. This principle is often quoted or interpreted in an absurd way by people. Lord Krishna does not want us to get entangled in mundane sense enjoyment; rather, he encourages us to follow the Vedic principles and understand the real objective of Karma Yoga (to achieve god consciousness and purify oneself).

Jnana Yoga

This yoga emphasizes philosophical inquiry, where one tries to read scriptures and achieve depth of knowledge. One is detached from both action (work) and the fruit of action (results). Being detached from action does not mean giving up action; it simply means doing what God wants (to purify oneself and always think about the welfare of others by achieving god consciousness).

Astanga Yoga

This is a yogic practice where one tries to meditate on God through the prescribed method of Astanga Yoga, engaging the 8 limbs (anga). The objective is quite clear: to achieve god consciousness through meditation, culminating in samadhi (the end stage where one leaves the body while meditating on the supreme lord).

Bhakti Yoga

It is the simplest of all, yet not so easy. Lord Krishna personally recommends that Bhakti Yoga is the best of all four yogas. It does not negate other yogas but simply focuses on the highest principle of loving God. One who loves God actually loves every living entity and always thinks about others' welfare. The person who walks on this path can achieve god consciousness in a fast-track mode. Anyone can practice this yoga, and it is simple. You just need to focus on the prescribed process by Lord Krishna. Ultimately, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and hence we need to practice this to experience the benefits of following this path.