Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is one of the most ancient spiritual concepts of East, and despite a philosophical look it has an equally significant physical basis. It is not a body of doctrines, theories or principles. Intellectual problems or inquiries as to 'why' or 'whence' are not the areas of yogic deliberations. Boiled down to basics, Yoga is a collection of simple practices, a kind of body rituals, consisting of action, method and technique.
The Bhagvad Gita clarifies this interpretation and lays stress upon the Karma Yoga. This scripture says
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भुर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
'Work alone is your privilege, never the fruits thereof. Never let the fruits of action be your motive; and never cease to work. Work in the name of the Lord, abandoning selfish desires. Be not affected by success or failure. This equipoise is called Yoga.'
The Kathopnishad describes Yoga thus :
तां स्थिराम् इन्द्रियधारणां योगम् इति मन्यते।तदा योगी अप्रमतः भवति।हि योगः प्रभवाप्ययौ॥
'When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not - then, say the wise, is reached the highest stage. This steady control of the senses and mind has been defined as Yoga. He who attains it is free form delusion.'According to B.K.Iyenger,
योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः
Yoga is the method by which the restless mind is calmed and the energy directed into constructive channels. The word yoga itself is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root 'yuj'. It means 'to yoke' or 'join'. Thus, Yoga is the science that yokes 'the finite' with 'the Infinite', or 'the finite spirit' with 'the Supreme Spirit'.
