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PHILOSOPHY AND SCIENCE OF SPIRITUAL REFINEMENT (Sädhanä Paddhatiyon Kä Gyäna—Vigyäna)

Brief Introduction of Vangamaya Vol. 4

The treasure of Indian culture is full of invaluable pearls. The philosophy and science of yoga is an ageless jewel of these pearls whose glow has been illuminating, since the times immemorial in human history, the internal and external world of all those who adorned it in the crown of their lives…. The yoga sädhanäs—- methods of practicing yoga in an orderly and scientific way, have been devised by the seers of yore who had perfected the knowledge of human body and mind and experienced the eternal relationship between the individual consciousness and the omnipresent cosmic consciousness.

The mechanism of yoga works on scientific principles. There is nothing esoteric or imaginary in the development, practices and effects of yoga sädhanäs. Positive effects of several practices of yoga on physical, biological and mental health have been verified in the modern laboratories too. Yoga—research is a respectable discipline in the faculties of Medicine, Psychology and Philosophy in many reputed institutions and universities across the globe at present. However, on the other side of its popularity, practicing some kind of physical fitness exercises in the name of ‘yoga’ has also become a fashionable hobby and business these days….. It therefore appears important to make people aware of the fact that—- applications of yoga are not limited to physical fitness, clinical health and behavioral management only….., nor is it a discipline of abstract philosophical discussions by intellectuals….; rather, it encompasses all activities and works in all dimensions of human life.

The science of yoga is much deeper than any other branch of science. The sädhanä procedures designed here work at the level of extrasensory, subtle and astral bodies too. Sincere and disciplined practices of yoga involve maximum use of the power of intrinsic faith, courage, earnest desire and determination. These aim at gradual arousal and activation of the enormous potentials of human body, mind and the inner sentiments. The nectar of yoga sädhanäs helps the tree of life blossom like a Kalpavraksha—- the heavenly tree which fructifies all desires of the divine beings..….

The philosophy of yoga aims at the “yoga” (literally meaning “conjugation”) of the soul with the supreme eternal consciousness…. Importance of yoga has been glorified by Lord Krishna in the holy Gita (6| 46) as—-

Tapasvibhyo Adhiko Yogï, Jnä nibhyo Apimato Adhikah|

Karmibhyashca Adhiko Yogï, Tasmäd yogï Bhava Arjuna||

Meaning: “Yogï—- a devotional expert of all practices and knowledge of yoga, is superior to those who refine the self by adopting ascetic disciplines and penance; much as knowledge is superior to the knowledgeable. The success of a yogï is greater than that of the people engaged in creative activities and dedicated actions aimed at excellent results. Therefore, you (addressing to Arjuna) must try becoming a true yogï”.

Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya has reinvestigated the philosophy of “Raj Yoga” developed by Maharshi Patanjali in the ancient times. He has analyzed the feasibility and applications of the practices of Yama, Niyama, Äsana, Pränäyäma, Pratyähära, Dhärana, Dhyäna, Samädhi in the modern times taking into account the attitudes, modes of living and circumstances prevailing in the world today. He has deciphered and presented the gamut of yoga sädhanäs in a easy-to-understand, lucid style. He has also introduced some new sädhanäs of special relevance to improvement of bodily and psychological health in the present times.

In Acharya Sharma’s words—- “Sädhanäs is essential for accomplishing righteous success in every walk of life…. Be that materialistic progress or spiritual evolution…., none could be achieved without sincere endeavors of refinement and escalation of one’s abilities and virtues….”. In the context of yoga, sädhanä procedures are devised focusing at purification and strengthening of the internal world of the body and mind. These endeavors are like those of arduous hunting for hidden treasures; attainment of the treasures of marvelous potentials of the human body and miraculous functions of the human mind indeed makes one rich like Kuber—- allegorically described to be the wealthiest and most prosperous being of the heavens….

The ancient rishis had described the inner potentials of a human being as extrasensory sources of divine powers and referred them by different names of God. The successive stages of yoga and the disciplines of sädhanäs are devised for gradual purification and strengthening of the body and mind and eventual awakening of inner potentials. These work at the external level of the gross body by way of specific physical exercises and pränäyämas and energize every component of the body—- from organs to muscles and nerves and from cellular to molecular systems.

This particular volume is devoted to the detailed description of the first three components of Maharshi Patanjali’s Ashtänga Yoga——namely, Yama, Niyama and Äsana. The remaining five along with description of all other aspects—- ranging from the mudräs and bandhas associated with the äsanas to the state of trance and attainment of absolute peace and beatitudeous bliss….—- have been covered in the volume no. 20 which deals with the methods of enlightenment and ideal evolution of personality.

The practices of yama, niyama, äsanas, are very important as they help conditioning the gross body for successively higher level sädhanäs and prepare the mind for the same. As the gross body and conscious mind are the only tools used in most of the experiments of yoga, it is essential to keep them in excellent order. Healthy body and healthy mind are essential for creative materialization of any endeavor. Yama, Niyama and Äsana help formidably in setting the foundation for further progress in yoga sädhanäs.

The purpose of all yoga sädhanäs is three folded and accordingly, their modes of actions too are three phased. The first phase focuses at improvement of the strength and healthy functioning of the gross body. This aims at purifying the body from within and harmonious conditioning of its components followed by enhancing the vitality. The second phase deals with refinement and charging of the subtle body—- pertaining to the thought process, sagacity, foresightedness and other intellectual and mental faculties. The last phase corresponds to spiritual transmutation of the astral body—- the core of consciousness, sentiments, intrinsic values, inspirations, devotional realizations,…. etc.

How the sincere practices of yama, niyama, äsanas contribute to healthy maintenance and harmonization of the natural tendencies of the three—- gross, subtle and astral bodies of the human self has been discussed in the present volume with scientific interpretations, reasoned justifications and evidential examples. The central theme of yoga viz., “Yogash Cittavratti Nirodhah”—- is also explained here with practical guidance in respect of the above practices.

The definition of the five yamas imply—- observance of nonviolence, truth and chastity and avoidance of avarice and possessive attitude. Those of the five niyamas correspond to—- external and internal purity; endurance and natural satisfaction; ascetic refinement of personality; self-analysis and enlightenment of mind by noble thoughts; contemplation on divinity exiting within the self and pervaded in the every being, every where in Nature…. The Yama-Niyama lay the foundation for gradual refinement of the body and mind and devotional illumination of consciousness. The wide varieties of äsanas are devised according to the in-depth understanding of the complex network of nerves, muscles, knots and extrasensory power centers in the human body. These harmonize the intra-body and brain functions and help activation of the otherwise dormant vital energy centers as one progresses in the sädhanäs of Ashtänga Yoga.

The original definitions and methods of specific practices of the above components of yoga—- as invented by Maharshi Patanjali—- are presented in this volume with detailed discussions on their implications, relevance and feasibility in modern modes of life. The author has also eloquently guided on how to observe the disciplines of yama-niyama in daily chores of ordinary life. Aspirants of getting authentic exposure to the great science and philosophy of yoga would find this volume as a comprehensive guide-book…. This volume along with others on the related topics —namely, volume nos. 5 to 7 and 20, will make a complete text for in-depth knowledge, implementation and higher level research on yoga sädhanä.