Bhagavan Shree Krishna, as Yogacharya, advises Arjuna, the confused mind, to take to yogabhyasa. He, the Lord, goes on to explain how to sit and control breathing, etc. However, the very meaning and purport of 'yoga' has not been understood by us, mortals. Our yoga teachers neither follow the yoga as explained in the Bhagavad-Gita, nor do they follow Shandilya or Patanjali in full. In fact, yoga is a very difficult practical science subject that need lot of theoretical background of scriptures! What all the yoga schools try to teach is asana and pranayama, that too, without the basics of yama,niyama, pratyahara and Ishvara pranidana- the essential requirement for practice of yoga. The ultimate goal of yoga is 'to merge' in the 'Ultimate'! What this 'ultimate truth' is, is never known! The 'ultimate truth is an abstract concept. It is almost the ultimate destination marked by 'stand still'. It is absolute silence, mahattanta shanta. Nothing stirs here. This is param padam, the natural state one should attain to! This is like home coming after a long journey abroad!
.One who attains 'param padam' the highest seat will ot return here, to this mrutyu loka. This is the purpose of taking to yogabhyasa This practice of yoga needs a firm determination, focused attention, study of scriptures (nidhidhyasana), meditation (dhyana),, chintana, manthana, and tapas. It is also important to note that the path to yoga is well defined in the Gita, as told by the Lord. There is no need for looking elsewhere for guidance. What all needed is total withdrawal from worldly sensuous way of life and take to renunciation, vaiagya. There is no alternate to this!
However, this renunciation or vairagya is not divorced to living in family, society, community! It is using discrimination. It is tactful way of dealing worldly problems, avoiding conflicts, living in peace! Yoga brings wisdom. it teaches how far one should go, not beyond! This makes the person wise, a yogi. A yogi is not disturbed by the happenings around him/her. A yogi is dispassionate towards attractive things, objects, people and problems. There is wisdom in tackling things. Total renunciation, sanyasa, is not called for untill one reaches the ripe old age and a guru takes him by hand to guide! One has to live amidst family and friends and yoga helps here!
Yoga is thus not just a discipline for a healthy way of life. It is the path to salvation. It is away of synchronizing the thoughts, ideas, action, and working for fulfillment for life. It is coordinating the functioning of body, mind, senses, intellect and ego tuned toward the Atman. Ultimately, this brings union with god.
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