MANONIYANTRANA TANTRA

     YOGA FOR MIND CONTROL (MANONIYANTRANA TANTRA)

     In the Vedic times, Yoga was adopted along with Ayurveda and Jyotishya as a way of life. It is the age-old secret technique, 'tantra', of attaining peace and happiness. It is the technique of controlling the whimsical mind. It is in vogue since time immemorial. The Paatanajali Yoga Sutra is a codified Yoga Text and a very useful fuide to Yoga. Bhagavad-Gita gives a detailed account of Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and the Jnyaana Yoga. Sri Krishna says, “I am the Yogacharya and Yoga is the easiest way to emancipation”. Yoga brings about harmony in the function of Body, Mind and Spirit (Soul), and, hence, an integrated personality.

What is Yoga?

   ‘Yoga’ means ‘to unite’ or join derived from the term ‘yuj’; it is means of joining or bringing about the union of the object (jiva) with the subject (paramatma /atma) through concentration; it is 'Meditation'. Concentration on anything is in fact 'yoga'. If one concentrates on a flower it is 'pushpa yoga'; and, if one concentrates on the fragrance of the flower, it is 'Pushpa sugandha yoga'. If one concentrates on dhyan, it is called 'Dhyana Yoga'. Whatever that brings about good of the union is 'Suyoga' and the opportunity that brings about the 'Yuj,' union is 'Samyoga'. In fact everybody should practise some or the other type of Yoga in order to obtain concentration and success in work. It is difficult to achieve success without concentration. 'Sankalpa Yoga' is thus very useful for it helps to concentrate on the task decided to pursue. Hence, one need not be frightened with the use of the word 'Yoga' in the context of our day- to- day life. Further, there are different types of Hatha Yoga that are practiced by Sadhus in the Himalayas.The 'Surya Yoga is a very simple but very useful Yoga. It is all about concentrating or gazing on the Sun for a few seconds daily at the time of sunrise and sunset. Walking barefoot on warm ground and gazing at the rising sun or sunset for just five seconds everyday is enough. The period of gazing may be gradually increased but not more than a few minute. Enormous power is stored in brain cells by this method and one can reduce dependence on food for physical upkeep of the body by this method called the 'Surya Yoga'. Similarly, there are many types of 'Hatha Yoga' by which certain occult powers are obtained. Clairvoyance, Omniscience, and Omnipresence, Llevitation, Thought Reading, Flying, etc. are possible by very severe practice of these Yogic exercises. There are atleast a dozen Yoga Upanishads that explain the techniques of these different types of yogic practices. But, it is also warned here, that these occult practices should not be practiced for selfish ends. The occult powers are by-products of spiritual attainments and should be disregarded for the ultimate goal is to seek and merge in the Brahman.

       Again, by Yogic practices, one can attain the state in which the Mind succeeds in stilling the clamour of the sense organs and, itself becomes pure, steady and still. This is the inner condition that all the spiritual aspirants seek; and, some are even successful to the extent of perceiving God as affirmed by Shri Krishna in Bhagavad- Gita. “Freed from attachment, fear and anger, absorbed in Me –the One Self in all, and taking refuge in me, very many people, purified by the tapas of jnyana, or discipline of spiritual knowledge, have attained to oneness with Me”. [Bhagavad Gita IV.10]

      The Upanishads have declared the great truth 'Tat tvam asi', (Thou art that') i.e., ‘Man is divine’.or divinity is inherent in Man. If divinity is the innermost core of man, the path to it lies through the withdrawal of the senses and the mind from the world of sensate experience and diverting their energies inward in a supreme effort of concentration. By such inward penetration, man achieves realization of his true nature, the non-dual, immortal, changeless and pure 'Atman' behind his apparent self of changeful individuality. This is the well- known Adhyatma Yoga. 

      In Mandukya Upanishad Karika, Shri Goudapada, Guruji of Shri Shankara has affirmed this truth. “The transcendental non-dual state, in which relative existence is overcome has been attained by sages who were free from attachment, fear and anger, and who had gone beyond the Vedas”.       

      Hinduism has four well-defined 'Purusharthas' viz, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha to be realized during one's lifetime. Of these, the last one, i.e., 'Moksha' is very important and it comes at the later stage of life, i.e., in 'Vaanaprasthashram' and it aims at spiritual perfection that brings peace and immortality. But, a beginning has to be made very early in life in order to achieve this higher state of spiritual exercise. There are different pathways to spiritual attainments. These paths lead direct to higher intuitive experience. These are called Yogas. Adhyatma Yoga helps to unite the microcosmic Consciousness with the macro cosmic or Universal Consciousness. By practicing the principles of Yoga as per Sage Paatanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutra’, one can attain the state of Supreme Consciousness and Supreme Bliss. Kurma Purana gives details of yoga. It is said that Yogi Paatanjali Rishi learnt Yoga at the feet of Lord Brahma and handed over these Yoga Sutras to future generations with his lucid commenataries. Paatanjali’s Yoga Sutra is an important source on methods of practising Yoga for spiritual attainment.

Types of Yoga

       There are many and different types of Yogas like the Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Laya Yoga, Sankalpa Yoga, Surya Yoga, Adhyatma Yoga, etc. But, the most important of them are: Karma Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnyana Yoga and, Raja Yoga. The preliminary preparation for advanced spiritual development or Samadhi is ‘Kriya Yoga’. It involves three exercises viz, Austerity (Samyama); Scriptural studies (Vedaadhyayana); and, Devotion to God (Bhakti).

       Controlling the mind and the senses, and directing their energies to higher purpose comes under austerity or tapas. There should be no place for argument in any of these practices. In Yoga, the efforts are directed to rise above the sensuate level and intellect level and to reach intuition level. Repetition or chanting of the name of Ishtadevatha and absolute submission to the Lord are important. Kriya Yoga is necessary for an aspirant of spiritual attainment.

 Karma Yoga

       Karma Yoga seems to be very simple in that one has to do his duty with total humility and offer it at the feet of the Lord. Karma Yoga does not lay down numerous ‘do’s’ and don’ts. It seeks total involvement in one’s duty. Bhakti Yoga, on the other hand, has total devotion to the Lord and there are numerous instances of Bhaktas totally merging in Him. This is indeed the most simple but the most difficult method, for it involves total submission to Him. It is total merger like Radha in Krishna. Love and sacrifice are the keynotes of Bhakti Yoga.

      Jnyana Yoga is different from the two others- Karma yoga and Bhakti Yoga, in that it requires intellect and self- realisation. In a sense, bhakti with jnyana is the surest path to Self Realization. This is a difficult path. It requires lot of discipline in daily life, study of scriptures, study of one’s own self, one’s own mind, and keep good company (Satsang) and always think of Him. One has to realize one’s own Self and the goal in life. This is a very difficult path for most of the seekers who do not have the facilities to study and get proper guidance from spiritual teachers. Jnyana Yoga along with Bhakti yoga is the best way to realize the Self.

      Of all the Yogas, i.e., the Kriya Yoga, the Karma Yoga, the Bhakti Yoga, the Jnyana Yoga and the Raja Yoga (Dhyana Yoga), the last one, the Raja Yoga, is the king of Yogas. The practice of Hatha Yoga is suggested to those who opt for Raja Yoga. [Patanjali: Yoga Sutra]. It helps to control the mind since the mind is stubborn and adamant and will not take to RajaYoga so easily.