The Yoga Ladder from Bhagavad gita

The word “Yoga” means to link – linking of our consciousness with the Supreme Absolute Truth. There are different types of yoga systems described which are named differently according to the particular method adopted. When the linking process is predominantly in fruitive activities it is called karma-yoga, when it is empirical it is called Jnana Yoga when it is predominantly in a devotional relationship with the Supreme Lord it is called Bhakti-Yoga, which is the ultimate perfection of all yogas (B.G. 6.46)

The material world is meant for the gradual purification of the conditioned souls, through the process of sacrifice. By this process, the conditioned souls can re-awaken their spiritual consciousness, which they have forgotten. The Yoga Ladder is the Supreme Lord’s system for facilitating this.

1. KARMA- KANDA:?(No spiritual objective).

This is the first step in the elevation of a conditioned spirit soul. By encouraging regulated sense gratification, it brings animalistic people to a platform of religiosity. Karma-kanda purifies the practitioner in many ways.

A. It makes him practice some regulations, which brings detachment. Detachment fosters knowledge.

B. It brings him to the Vedas, which also contain Jnana (knowledge) and Upasana (worship) sections.

C. By practicing yajnas (sacrifice) and getting results, it gives him faith in sastra (scriptures).

D. It makes him associate with Brahmanas (those who are engaged in the cultivation of spiritual knowledge) who can give him knowledge.

E. After bringing one to the Vedic path and giving one faith, it will naturally lead him to examine the Jnana (knowledge) sections and Upasana (worship) sections, because the sense gratification of karma-kanda inevitably leads to frustration.

2. KARMA-YOGA:

The practice of karma-kanda leads one to the next step, karma-yoga. Here one is frustrated with living for sense gratification and wants to advance spiritually, but is still too attached to completely stop working for himself. Therefore, one starts karma-yoga on the sakama (with desire) stage.

3. SAKAMA-KARMA-YOGA:?(Spiritual objective with material desires).

Here one will work in the world, but will still be attached to some of the fruits for himself. Out of a desire for purification, he will give up some of the fruits of his labor. The practice of sakama-karma-yoga leads one to the stage where he is completely detached to the fruits of his activities (nishkama-karma-yoga)

4. NISHKAMA-KARMA-YOGA:?(Spiritual objective)

Here one has some fixedness in transcendental knowledge. Generally, one at this stage is detached from the fruit of his labor, but is still attached to the work itself.

5. ASTANGA-YOGA:?(Spiritual objective)

This is a yoga system which helps one to achieve just as that obtained by nishkama-karma-yoga.

There are two stages in astanga-yoga: Yogaruruksu (the beginning stage) and Yogarudha (the advanced stage). These are further divided in to eight steps (asta means “eight”, and anga means “parts”). Of the eight steps in astanga-yoga, the first two are yama and niyama i.e., following the prohibitions and regulations. After one learns to strictly follow the rules and regulations, he begins to practice asanas, sitting postures (what people commonly call hatha-yoga). While the asanas are being mastered, one begins pranayama, breathing exercises. The breath is intimately connected with the mind. Therefore, pranayama helps to control the mind. When his mind is controlled, the aspiring yogi advances to the practice of pratyahara, withdrawing his senses from their objects. When he becomes detached, he practices first dharana, then dhyana, different intensities of meditation. Such meditation leads to the final stage, samadhi.

Different transcendentalists attain distinct kinds of samadhi. In samadhi, the mind and consciousness are fully focused on the Absolute. The jnani focuses on the Brahman (the impersonal, all pervading aspect of the supreme) the Patanjali yogi on paramatma (the localized aspect of the Supreme who is situated within the heart) and the bhakti yogi on Krishna (the Supreme Lord with all His opulences, one who has a spiritual form composed of eternity, knowledge and bliss). Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains that in the yogaruruksu (beginning) stage, one works in nishkama-karma-yoga while simultaneously practicing astanga-yoga. That purifies his heart. When the aspiring yogi becomes elevated in his practice to the point of yogarudha, he gives up nishkama-karma-yoga. Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana adds that the yogarudha stage begins at dhyana (intense meditation on the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna).

6. JNANA-YOGA:?(Spiritual objective)

Can be equated to giving up all social obligations in pursuit of spiritual advancement This is not recommended by Krishna because one must be highly qualified to fully give up work

7. BHAKTI-YOGA:

Is a quality that can permeate any of the stages that involve a spiritual objective, but generally, it is only fully entered into after the jnana stage. [1]

Krsna explains this graduation of advancement according to the spiritual level of the practitioner in the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita from verses 8 to 12.[2]

In verse 8 He says:

"Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt." (Bg 12.8)

This verse describes the process of pure bhakti-yoga, where there is a strong connection with Krsna based on pure love. On this level, one is spontaneously attracted to Krsna's form, qualities, activities, and so on. On this level, one is always meditating on Krsna. One in this level is already liberated, even while living in this material world. This is the level of devotees like Uddhava or Arjuna. This path is described in detail in the 11th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, as well as in chapters 7 to 12 of the Bhagavad-Gita.

?

What if one is not able to follow the most elevated path? The answer comes in the 9th verse:

"My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me." (Bg 12.9)

This verse describes the process of sadhana bhakti, where the practitioner is not completely pure yet, but he is sufficiently detached to just practice sadhana and do service, without desires for material gain. In this level, a devotee may not yet be at the level where he can completely fix his mind in Krsna, but he is at least advanced and renounced enough to dedicate all his external activities for Krsna, living in a temple or sacred place, raising early, meditating on beads, doing services that are pleasant to Krsna and so on. This equals to an advanced stage of jnana-yoga or at least niskama-karma yoga. One who is not advanced will not be able to maintain this level, since his material desires will pull him back to the material sphere.

A third path, suitable for the ones who are not at such an advanced level is revealed on the 10th verse:

"If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage." (Bg 12.10)

This verse describes the process of karma-yoga, where one still has an attachment to certain activities, but he is capable of connecting it to Krsna, using his propensity to act in Krsna's service and dedicating the fruits of his work to Krsna. One in the level of niskama-karma-yoga will be able to effectively work for Krsna, while one in the level of sakama-karma-yoga may at least dedicate part of the results to Krsna Conscious activities.

A final path for the ones who are still lower in the yoga ladder is described in the next two verses:

"If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated." (Bg 12.11)

If one can't directly work for Krsna because of attachment to the fruits of his work or social pressure, he should try to use his money for good causes and cultivate renunciation, at least internally. Becoming purified by these activities, he may eventually become a devotee of Krsna and start the path of karma-yoga.

"If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind." (Bg 12.12)

One who is not able to do anything practical may start by cultivating spiritual knowledge since spiritual knowledge is the start of the path of self-realization. As one applies this knowledge in his life and collects realizations, he will be able to gradually ascend on the yoga ladder into the more advanced stages mentioned before. Better than to just cultivate knowledge is to meditate, and better to meditate is to renounce the fruits of one's work, which leads one to the path of karma-yoga.

References:

1.https://www.romapadaswami.com/old/Inquiries/The_Yoga_Ladder_Students_Book.pdf

2. https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/understanding-the-yoga-ladder