Timeless Depths of Yoga Scriptures
From ‘Shiva Puran ’ one of the scripture of Hindu tale between Lord Shiva and Mother Shakti, Lord Shiva releveled to her all the secrets of yoga and self-realization. Upon receiving yogic knowledge from Shiva, Parvati imparted it to Brahma, the creater of the universe. Brahma taught to his children born of his own will, the sages such as Narada, Sanaka, and santkumar, who then passed it to Vasista and others. The origin of yoga is traced to Vedas and upanishades dates back as thousands of years or more as it is difficult to put exact dates to when Vedas were written. The history of Vedas the Ancient Indian astrology divides the time in Yugs, ‘celestial years’as Satya Yuga that lasted (17,28,000 years) Tertha Yuga (12,96,000 years), Dwapar Yuga (8,64,000 years) and present Kali Yuga (4,32000 years).
It is believed that yoga was started with the dawn of civilization when Rishis and Sages were able to realize the supreme consciousness within them and Vedas and Upanisads were spoken directly through conscious human forms and transferred to disciples. We may see many proofs of yogi culture look back to the history of Indus people, the very first civilization of Indu river of India and other Himalayan reign of Nepal.
One thing is clear is that since earliest times there has existed and understanding that human consciousness is vast, can be explored to the fullest and from that exploration insights unfold as reveled wisdom about human condition, the universe, and our place on it.
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Yog Darshan – Philosophies
Philosophy in Sanskrit context is referred to as Darsan which means a vision or insight into reality. In yogic tradition there are two branches of philosophy. The Aastika or orthodox branch and Naastika orunorthodox branch. Orthodox philosophies ae so called as they accept veda’s authority. The unorthodox branch of philosophies Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka, etc does not accept the authority of Vedas.
There are Shad Darshan (Six philoshopies ) categorized.
- Purva Mimansa by Sage Jamini
The word Mimansa means to investigate thoroughly. This is a philosophy for rationally justifying the performance of rituals. The main goal of Mimansa philosophy is to insist on a life of rituals as justified by Vedas. These rituals are capable of leading man to the highest goal.
- Vedanta or uttar Mimansa by Sage Badrayana or Ved Vyasa
Vedantic philosophy does not have a specific founder, different teacher developed different schools of thought. The main school of Vedanta are;
Advaita (Non-dualistic Vedantic Philosophy) by Adi Shakaracharya
Vishist Advaita (Qualified Non-dualistic Vedantic Philosophy) by Ramanujacharya
Dvaita (Dualistic vedantic Philosophy) by Madhavacharya
- Nyaya Darshan by Sage Gautama
Naaya means rules or method. Nyaya Darshan is concerned with rules of logic.This premise led Nyaya to concern itself with epistemology that is the reliable means to gain correct knowledge and to remove wrong notions. This philosophy brings direct realism, stating that anything that really exists is in principle humanly knowable. It requires cross-examination of cognition, reflective cognition of what one thinks one knows.
- Vaiseshika by Sage Kanada
The Vaiseshika Philosophy follow the nyaya system very closely, the two are often considered as twin philosophies. This system recognizes the 7 Padarthas (elements) which are substance quality, action, generality, particularity, relation of inherence and non-existence. Vaiseshika goal of life is to become free from karma by renouncing worldly desires and attain liberation by true knowledge.
- Sankhya by Sage Kapila
Sankhya means right knowledge or numbers or categories. The two metaphysical principals of Sankhya are Purusha and Prakriti. Purusha is the principle of pure consciousness and Prakriti is principle of matter. Both are eternal and independent of each other. Prakriti is comprised of three Gunas- Sattva, Rajas & Tamas.
- Yoga Darshan By Sage Patanjali
Yog Darshan as represented by Yoga sutras was given by maharishi Patanjali. Yoga sutras are considered the basic text of Yoga. These sutras elaborate an Ashtanga system of 8 limbs. Yoga sutras divided into four Padas (chapters);
Samadhi Pada – On being absorbed in meditation – consists of 51 sutras
Sadhana Pada – On being immersed in practice – consists of 55 sutras
Vibhuti Pada – On supernatural abilities and gifts- consists of 56 sutras
Kaivalya Pada – On absolute freedom – consists of 34 sutras.
Vedas
The word Veda is derived from the root Vid. Vid means to know, to be (one with the God), to attain (salvation) . The Vedas were transmitted orally during the course of numerous subsequent generations before finally before archived in written form. The exact authors of Vedas are unknown Rishis, sages as there could be many. The oldest Veda is considered Rigveda, and while it is impossible to put correct dates for each of these ancient scripture.
There are four vedas as under:
- Rigveda (contains hymns about their mythology)
- Samveda (contains about religious rituals)
- Yajurveda (contains instructions for rituals for ie, deities, five elements etc.)
- Atharvaveda (Contains spells against enemies, sorcerers, and diseases)
The six Vedangas listed below help in understanding the Vedas
- Vyakaran (grammar)
- Shiksha (phonetics)
- Nirukta (rtymology)
- Jyotis (Astrology)
- Kalpa (Rituals)
There are subsidiary Vedas called upacedas each deals with a different topic
- Ayurveda (medicine)
- Dhanurveda (military science)
- Gandharvaveda (Music)
- Shilpaveda (Arts and Architecture)
Upanishades
The roots of the word Upanishad Üpa, Ni, Shad” mean literally “Near down, sit. The implication is that these teaching were given from teacher to students in close proximity over period of time. Being the 4th and last past of Vedas, they ar also referred to as Vedanta, the end of Vedas. This also implied that they contain the aim or essence of the Vedas. Total number of Upanishades is debatable but 108 is generally accepted as authentic texts.
Vedas Upanishades, Puranas and epics are considered basic source of ancient Indian Philosopies. These ancient scriptures are considered very important for the different stage of life from birth to death.
The four stage of human life are classified as;
1st Stage of Dharma – As a student to learn about righteous and responsibilities
2nd stage of Artha – As a householder Serving and earning living hood
3rd stage of Kama – Fulfilling the enjoyment and desires of senses for liberation
4th stage of Mokhya – Last stage to abandon all the desires and to be one with the God.
The first stage learning Drama starts at the birth till age of 25.
The Second stage and Third of Artha and kama starts from 25 till 50 years old.
The fourth stage of Mokhya is Banaprastha from age of 50-75, in this age one starts retirement and transfers all knowledge to younger one and then from the age of 75 one may abandon house or attachments mentally or physically to seek pilgrimage and liberation.
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