Gems of Patanjali yoga sutras-1
Saint Patanjali 2400years ago gave the yoga sutra. Patanjali’s yoga sutras are given
in the form of aphorism. The contents of the yoga sutra give out the quality of a person who practice and teach yoga. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning true union of our will with the will of the god. YOGA is the one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It was organized, and systematised by Patanjali in his classical work, THE YOGA SUTRA, which consist of 185 aphorisms. The yoga sutra deals with the Indian thought, that every thing is pervaded by the supreme Universal spirit called PARAMATMA OR GOD of which individual human spirit called jivatma is a part. The system of yoga is so called because it teaches the means by which jivatma can be united to, or be in communion with the parmatma, and so secure liberation or moksha or salvation. Mahadev Desai in his introduction to the “Gita according to Gandhi” has explained yoga as “the yoke of all the powers of body, mind, and soul to god; it means disciplining of intellect, the mind, the emotions, the will, which the yoga presupposes; it means a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly”.
The Patanjali in his YOGA SUTRA has given eight limbs or stages of yoga for ultimate salvation from our body and union with the GOD or PARAMATMA. The eight stages of yoga are
1. YAMA-are universal moral commandments
2. NIYAMA- are self purification by discipline
3. ASANA-postures
4. PRANAYAMA-rhythmic control of breath
5.
PRATYAHARA-withdrawal and emancipation of mind from the domination of senses and exterior objects
6.
DHARANA-concentration
7. DHAYANA-meditation
8. SAMADHI- a stage of super consciousness brought about by profound meditation, in which individual seeker of the truth become one with the object of meditation i.e. paramatma or universal spirit or god.
The first three stages YAMA, NIYAMA &ASANA are together called Bahiranga sadhana are out ward quest. Yama and Niyama controls yogi’s passions and emotions and keep him harmony with his environment and others be it neighbours, friends, strangers, coworkers etc. Asana keeps his body healthy and strong and in harmony with nature. Finally, the yogi becomes free from body consciousness. He conquers the body and it becomes fit for search of Paramatmav.
The next two stages Pranayama and Pratyahara are together known as inner quest or Antaranga sadhana. These two stages teaches the aspirant to regulate the breathing, and there by control the mind. This stage helps to free the senses from the thralldom of the object of desire.
DHARANA, DHYANA & SAMADHI, the last three stages are called antaratma sadhana, the quest for soul. It takes the yogi to innermost recesses of his soul. The yogi does not look heavenward to find the god. He knows that HE is within, being known as ANTARATMA. Last three stages make him in harmony with himself and his creator.
YAMA AND NIYAMA are both detailed in my own summary of 10 commandments of sanaathana dharma see the link below.
ASANA-Third limb of yoga is known as asana or posture. Asana brings steadiness, and health. Steady and pleasant postures produce mental equilibrium and prevent fickleness of mind. ASANA’S are not merely gymnastic exercises; they are postures. For doing Asana one need a blanket, airy space while for gymnastic one need large playing fields and costly equipment. ASANA unlike gymnastic exercises every muscles, nerve, glands, mind, intellect and self. Asana reduces fatigue, anxiety, and phobia and soothes the nerves.
While performing ASANA the Yogis body assumes many forms resembling many creatures, both plants and animals. The asana’s are named after the creature it resembled, in Sanskrit
ASANAS ----------------------- CREATURE (the postures name is creatures name too)
VRIKSA ASANA--------------------------TREE
PADMA ASANA---------------------------LOTUS
SALABA ASANA--------------------------LOCUST
VRSCHIKA ASANA---------------SCORPION
MATSYA ASANA-------------------FISH
KURMA ASANA----------------------TORTOISE
BHEKA OR MANDUKA ASANA-------FROG
NAKRA ASANA -------------------------------------CROCODILE
KUKKUTA ASANA --------------------------COCK
BAKA ASANA --------------------------------HERON
MAYURA ASANA ---------------------------PEACOCK
HAMSA ASANA -------------------------------SWAN
SVANA ASANA -------------------------------DOG
VATAYANA ASANA -----------------------HORSE
USTRA ASANA ------------------------------CAMEL
SIMHA ASANA ------------------------------LION
BHUJANGA ASANA -----------------------SERPENT
GARBHA-PINDA ASANA ---------------HUMAN EMBRYONIC STAGE
Asanas are named after legendary heroes like VIRABHADRA AND HANUMAN. Other ASANA are named after Hindu sages like BHARADVAJA, KAPILA, VASISTHA, VISVAMITRA Other ASANA’S are called after gods of Hindu.