THE TOPMOST YOGA SYSTEM THE SCIENCE OF YOGA THE TOPMOST YOGA SYSTEM

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system In B.G. 6.46. Krishna says, Austere person Tapasvi bhyo ‘dhiko yogi Knowledgeable person Jnanibhyo ‘pi mata dhika A working person Karmabhyas ca ‘dhiko yogi Tasmad yogi bhavarjuna

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Yoga – What it Is Not ! It is not mere physical exercise for shapely body, good health & long life Emaciated Renunciate in meditation Man with some extra-ordinary mystic powers

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Yoga – What it Actually Is ? “Union” in love between the individual consciousness & Supreme consciousness I.e. between Soul & God Yogi is a person whose life & activities are oriented towards re-establishing his relationship with God

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Different Types of Human Beings Human Beings Law Abiders Law Breakers Karmis Jnanis Dhyanis Bhaktas Sakama Niskama

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Law Breakers Hard working materialists Sophisticated animals conditioned to the bodily concept of life Don’t believe in soul, rebirth, God & Spiritual world Don’t discriminate between sinful & pious activities eg Charvak (sweet for ear) philosophy

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Law Breakers …..contd Make futile attempts at being controller & Enjoyer ……… Eg. Sand Castles Jesus Said, “Don’t built your castles on sand built them on hard rock” Krishna Said, “Keep focus on the soul, whatever you do for the soul is eternal B.G. 3.27 prakrateh Kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah ahankarah vimudhatma Kartaham iti manyate B.G. 9.21 Moghasa mogha karmano mogha jnana vicetasah rakshasim asurim caiva prakritim mohinim sritah

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Law Abiders Sakama Karmis Kama – material desires sakama- with material desires Perform pious activities with a fruitive intent Don’t know that both good and bad karma are binding In the madness, forget the goal of life. eg. Indra as a pig It is meant for gradual elevation & not an end in itself Mostly worship demigods, with material desires.

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Different Types of Yoga According to Bhagavad-Gita there are four types of Yoga: - Karma Yoga, - Jnana Yoga, - Astanga Yoga & - Bhakti Yoga. Bhakti Dhyana Jnana Karma These are not different paths but are different rungs of the same ladder. “All other yoga's are subsets of these four yoga's”

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Niskama Karma Yoga B.G. 3.30 Mayi sarvani karmani sannyasyadhyatma cetasah Nirasir nirmamo bhutva yudhyasva vigata jvarah O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto me with full knowledge of Me, Without desires of profit, With no claims to proprietorship & Free from lethargy,……… fight

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Niskama Karma Yoga …..contd Process of performing work without selfish desire for personal gain Art of working without entaglement B.G…. “Karmanyevadhikaraste……..”

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Jnana Yoga Impersonal, Transcendentalist Eg. Frog in the well Elevation process to spiritual consciousness through the cultivation of philosophical knowledge Troublesome path Promoted to bhakti-yoga only through association of devotees eg. Four kumaras & Sukhdev Gosvami

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Astanga Yoga Mechanical meditative process meant to control the mind & senses to focus one’s concentration on the supreme Ashta – Eight anga - limbs Yama, niyam, asana , pranayam, Pratyahara, Dharana, dhyana & Samadhi

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Astanga Yoga Strict rules and regulations which are impractical in Kali-Yuga Arjuna rejects Astanga Yoga “Cancalam hi manah Krsna….” Dangers of falling in the trap of siddhis eg. Saubhari muni Perfection of Astanga Yoga is to focus on the paramatma within our heart.

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Three levels in understanding God 1 – Brahmajyoti – Jnana Yoga 2 – Paramatma realization – Astanga Yoga 3 – Personal form of the Lord – Bhakti Yoga Eg. Seeing a mountain from various distances

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Bhakti Yoga Yoga for selfless, ecstatic love for God through transcendental devotional service to the Lord Easiest means to derive our dormant, inherent constitutional position Includes three terms – servitor, served & service

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Bhakti Yoga Nine processes of Devotional service 1. Sravanam (Hearing) 2. Kirtanam (chanting) 3. Smaranam (remembering) 4. Pada-sevanam (serving the lotus feet) 5. archanam(worship) 6. Vandanam (Offering Prayers) 7. Dasyam (servant) 8. Sakhyam(friendship) 9. Atma-nivedanam (surrendering) The most powerful of the nine process of bhakti is the Hearing & Chanting of the Lord’s holy name “Culmination of all yogas”

Bhakti Yoga …..contd Lord Krishna Says in B.G. 3.30 The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Bhakti Yoga …..contd Lord Krishna Says in B.G. 3.30 Yoginam api sarvesam Mad-gatenantaratmana Sradhhavan bhajate yo mam Sa me yuktatamo matah Translation: “Of all the yogis , the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Methods of attaining Bhakti Yoga Gradual Method STEP 0 : Astanga Yoga + Loving devotional service to the lord (Bhakti Yoga) STEP 3 : Renouncing fruits + Knowledge + Control of mind & Senses by eight fold path + Meditation on Paramatma(Supersoul in the heart (Astanga Yoga) STEP 2 : Renouncing fruits + Speculative Knowledge about Brahman + Austerity (Jnana Yoga) STEP 1 : Renouncing the fruits of ones labor (Karma Yoga/Niskama Karma) STEP 0 : Fruitive worker performing rituals(Karma Kanda)

The Science of Yoga - Topmost Yoga system Direct Method Devotional service in Krishna consciousness is the Direct Method Two Stages involved : - Vaidhi Bhakti - Raganuga bhakti The direct method is like taking an elevator for going up, instead of walking up all the steps.