atma, Bhagavad Gita, bhakti yoga, concentration, devotion, dhyanayoga, eternal soul, God, international yoga day, karma yoga, karmayoga, Krishna, Mahabharata, meditation, parmatma, peace of mind, perishable body, religion, sankhya yoga, scriptures, wisdom, yoga, yogi
Did you know that Krishna was one of the earliest advocate of Yoga? On the eve of 21st June, International Yoga Day, lets see his views on Yoga.
- Shri bhagavån uvåca – imaµ vivasvate YOGAM proktavån aham avyayam vivasvån manave pråha manur ikßvåkave’bravît
[I instructed this Science of Yoga to Vivaswan, who taught Manu, who taught it to Ikshvaku]- [Bhagavad Gita, CHAP 4, VERSE 1] Krishn’s yoga, is however, NOT limited to asanas or pranayama. It goes beyond physical flexibility or breathing techniques.
- YOGA comes from word YUJYA = to join or to connect.
Foremost, Krishn systematically analyzes the body and soul through Sankhya. He makes a clearcut distinction. The ephemeral body versus the eternal Soul. The body is bound to disintegrate and destruct. The Soul within the body is indestructible. It will eventually adopt a new body for its journey in quest of peace. Hence, Krishn defines Yoga as union of this eternal Soul (Atma) to God Krishna (Parmatma).
- He advocates 4 TYPES of Yoga to achieve this purpose –
1] Karma-Yoga: via actions. 2] Gyana-Yoga : Continue reading