Indian Newslink 15th June 2016 Digital Edition

JUNE 15, 2016
COMMUNITYLINK
19
Yoga is a state of mind, not a fashion statement
Knowledge before International Yoga Day on June 21
Acharya Ajay Tiwari
Controlling the unsettled
mind, purification
of language and medicine,
I bow to Maharishi
Patañjali, the sage who wrote
the Yoga.
When one mentions the word
‘Yoga’, the response is instant.
For, since it was introduced
to the West by Bikram Iyengar
more than 50 years ago, it has
transformed people’s bodies,
lifestyles and even their mental
health.
But with the immense popularity
of Yoga also comes its
commercialisation, and over
time, the spiritual significance
of this ancient Indian form of
exercise by its practitioners is
seldom known.
As June 21 marks
International Yoga Day, readers
of Indian Newslink who wish to
introduce Yoga into their lives
should be aware of certain principles
before undertaking its
practice.
Five causes
In this materialistic world,
there are five causes for suffering
(known as ‘Kleśa’)
that is said to affect people.
They are Avidyā, (Ignorance),
Asmitā, (Ego or Pride), Rāga
(Attachment), Dvesa (Malice)
and Abhiniveśa (Fear of death).
Understanding the meaning
and context behind each
of these terms is essential for
a true Yoga practitioner as the
cause and effect of suffering can
be reduced in one’s daily life
and activities.
Avidyā (Ignorance): Most
of life’s problems are due to
lack of understanding. Lord
Shankaracharya said “Avidyā
kleśa jananī” – “Ignorance is the
mother of sorrows and persecution.”
We get harassed by our
own persistence and insecurity,
and then blame others due
to misunderstandings within
ourselves.
Asmitā (Ego or Pride): All beings
born in this world are
known to possess some kind
of pride. Some people may be
proud of their wealth, knowledge,
beauty, name or fame.
Animals too have pride for what
they are gifted with. Examples
such as Peacocks and their
feathers, Dogs and their sense
of smell, Bulls and their physical
force, and Snakes and their
poisonous venom. Turning to
the great epics of Hindu mythology,
one can understand
the degree of ego in divine beings,
such as the Battle between
Sri Ram and the demon king
Ravana in Ramayana and the
Battle between the Pandavas
and Kauravas in Mahabharata.
Rāga (Attachment): The popular
saying, “All is fair in love
and war” calls for some debate
as most of us know what
damage can happen when one
is deeply attached, resulting
in mental instability and anger.
Examples include when
King Dasharath had to let go of
his sons, Ram and Lakshman
when Sage Vishwamitra asked
for their protection during his
‘Yagna’ ritual, King Dasharath’s
death after his beloved Ram had
to leave for his 14 year-exile in
the forest, and in Mahabharata,
Arjun’s initial refusal to fight
against his elders which led to
Lord Krishna’s reveal of the
Bhagwat Gita to him.
Dveṣa (Malice): In addition to
people being unhappy due to
problems in their lives, many
are also unhappy due to seeing
others who seem happier than
them. Malice can be called competition
in modern terms but according
to Adi Shankaracharya,
happiness is being content with
what one already has and not
being involved in competition
with someone for materialistic
items.
Abhiniveśa (Fear of death):
Throughout history, people have
tried various methods in order
to achieve immortality. Many
have prayed and performed immense
penance but some people
forget that Lord Ram and Lord
Krishna (incarnations of Lord
Vishnu) were mortal beings
themselves and had to die after
completion of their respective
duties on earth. Powerful demons
such as Hiranyakashipu,
Ravana and Kamsa, no matter
how learned or brave they
were, could not escape from the
reality of dying one day, hence
their only weakness was fear of
death.
All of us will eventually die
one day, but we can revert our
fear of death by aligning our
lives and principles to that of
Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and
Lord Buddha. It is only our
physical body that deteriorates
but never our soul.
Types of existence
According to Acharya
Shankara’s philosophy, there
are three kinds of existence:
Prātibhāsika, Vyavahārika and
Pāramārthika. Prātibhāsika
means illusion, Vyavahārika is
physical existence for a temporary
time and Pāramārthika is
the ultimate truth which can be
described as God.
Since many of us are unaware
of Pāramārthika, this becomes
the root cause of our disorganised
minds (citta vrtti). The
waves of our unsettled minds
prompt us to set new goals for
ourselves every day.
As we constantly run to
achieve our goals throughout
our lives and yet never completely
achieve them, we are
driven more towards citta vrtti.
It was for this reason that
Maharishi Patañjali wrote the
treatise “Yoga Sutra” 1200 years
BC (Bikram Samvat) in order to
save us from being drowned by
the ocean of citta vrtti.
Mind control
Maharishi Patañjali says,
“Yoga is control over citta vrtti
(unsettled mind). This definition
of Yoga is also supported
by Lord Krishna in the Bhagwat
Gita. He says: “Arjun, perform
your duties established in Yoga,
renouncing attachment and be
even-minded in success and failure.
Balance of mind is called
Yoga.”
Endowed with equanimity,
Lord Krishna preaches Yoga to Arjun
one sheds in this life both good and evil.
Therefore, strive for the practice of this
Yoga of equanimity. Skill in action lies in
the practice of this Yoga.
When your intellect, confused by
hearing conflicting statements, will rest
steady and undistracted in meditation/
on God, you will then attain Yoga, that is
everlasting union with God.
Eight limbs of Yoga
According to the Yoga sutra, there
are eight limbs of Yoga: Yama, Niyama,
Āsana, Prānāyām, Pratyāhāra, Dhāranā,
Dhyāna and Samādhi.
Those who wish to practice Yoga regularly
must eliminate the concept of gender,
as the soul is genderless.
The acts of non-killing, non-injuring
others and non-stealing are to be practiced
by every Yogi. Internal and external
purification must also be obtained.
Fifteen excuses and just five minutes of
practice is not the right discipline of becoming
a Yogi. Nowadays, many people
associate Yoga with the beautification of
the body but as described above, this is
far from the ultimate truth
Acharya Ajay Tiwari is a Priest and
Preacher. He is associated with Sanskrit
Yoga & Jyotish Trust and can be contacted
on (09) 2679980 or 021-0347956.
Email: acharyatiwari@gmail.com