RELEVANCE OF ASHTANGA YOGA IN MODERN AGE

RELEVANCE OF ASHTANGA YOGA IN MODERN AGE
Patanjali, an ancient yogi-sage integrated and simplified the science of Yoga concisely in his yoga sutras. These sutras can be considered as a collection of aphorisms on yoga.
In them, Patanjali divided the path into 8 limbs referred to as Ashtanga Yoga. These eight limbs give us an understanding of the deeper purposes and directions of Yoga.
Patanjali ashtanga yoga has 8 steps namely yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahera, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
Among these, first four form the group of bahiranga sadhana (external practices) and the rest four antarang sadhana.
;e&fu;eklu&izk.kk;ke&izR;kgkj] /kj.kkè;ku lekè;ksV"Vko¿xfuA
P.Y.S. 2.29
Experts have enumerated the following benefits of these eight Yama and Niyama lead to moral strengthening, asana and pranayama lead to physical perfection. Pratyahara and dharana lead to strengthening of the mind, dhyana lead to spiritual progress and samadhi lead to self realization.
The eight limbs of yoga are
1. Yama – moral restraints
2. Niyama – observences – individual discipline
3. Asana – posture, seat
4. Pranayama – central of the life energy through the senses
5. Pratyahara – mind withdrawal from the senses
6. Dharna – concentration
7. Dhyana – meditation
8. Samadhi – super consciousness or union with the divine
Patanjali instructs us to examine life and to see that all experiences that give temporary pleasures. He tells us that the cause of sorrow and pain is the identification of the self.
Basic essence of whole astanga yoga can be understood in following ways :
1. Yama
The first disciple of restraint Yama consist of
Satya – truthfulness in thought and speech
Ahimsa – non injury
Asteya – non stealing, not crave for the wealth
Brahmacharya – means to be free of the desire of having sex through body, mind and body and speech i.e. not performing sex physically and neither thinking nor talking about it.
5. Aparigraha – non perseveration or non accumulation
vfgalk lR;kLrs; czãp;kZ ifjxzgk% ;ek%AA
P.Y.S. 2130
Steady intellect is a natural and spontaneous state for a man of realization. Since nothing in this world can disturb him. Even ordinary people and spiritual aspirants can derive immense benefit by cultivating a steady intellect. Intellect, conviction about reality may help us to develop a steady intellect to a certain extent.
Shri Krishna has given a beautiful illustration in the Bhagvada Gita (2.70) of a steady intellect.
vkiw;Z ek.ke py izfr"Ba leqnzk; izfo'kfUr ;}rA 2-70
Water enters into the sea from all direction but the sea remains full and unchanged.
2. Niyama
Niyama is internal discipline or inner observance. According to Maharashi Patanjali
Sauca-santosa-tapah- svadhyaesvara pranidh- anani – niyamah.
PYS 2.32
These are the observances viz. serial
Shoucha (purity), Santhosha (contentment), Tapas (Austerity), Swadhyaya (self study), Ishvarapranidhana (total surrender to the supreme)
Saucha means total cleanliness internally and externally. It means practising purity in thoughts, word and action. Purity on all levels Free the mind from its limitations. Santosha means contentment.
The Sanskrit world santosha has its root in the word tush, meaning 'to pleased'
Contentment is a state of happiness and balance accepting things as they are and being satisfied what one has.
When we are content, we are happy. Happiness and unhappiness are states of the mind. The mind that is constantly changing and not contented. When all conflict and confusion in the mind are resolved, there is no thought. The mind become still and from this stillness of thought arises contentment.
3. Tapas
Austerity or self discipline destroys all impurities of mind. The practice of Tapas enables one to strengthen a firm resolve and develop a strong will power to overcome the egoistic nature of the mind. Tapas helps one to control and direct the power of the mind and the body for happy life. Tapas should be practised with intelligence and discrimination.
4. Svadhayaya
Self study – Svadhayaya can also mean the study of scriptural tests and the silent recitation of mantras to oneself.
The practice of svadhayaya encourages spiritual awakening in us, so that we can realize our divine nature and the reality of God.
5. Ishvarpranidhana
By total surrender to God, one attains perfection in God realization. Ishvara means, 'The Supreme Lord' or God. Pranidhana means total surrender.
It certainly seems a more effectual method as a rule to expel our evil propensities by developing good ones rather than by seeking directly to crush the evil ones.

3. Asana
The third discipline is bodily posture (asana).
fLFkj lq[keklue~ A 2-46
izr;Ru 'kSfFkY;kuUr lekIfÙkH;ke~AA 2-47
A still and comfortable state of physical body is called posture.
The various postures of the body are the means of controlling it and keeping it healthy and fit. They tune up the nervous system. The control of the body is the basis of the yoga discipline. They are controlled by means of practice and non attachment.
The practice of asana prevents psychosomatic disorders/ disease and improves individuals resistance and ability to endure stressful situations. As a primary, yogic exercise should be advised to drive the benefit of prevention of disease, promotion of health and for therapeutic purposes.
PRANAYAMA
The fourth discipline is breath control (pranayama). This limb deals with practice of breathing exercise involving rechaka, puraka, kumbhaka thus exercise our lungs.
Breath control is conductive to concentration of mind. It removes the element which observes discriminative knowledge. Breath control is the supreme austerity. It purges the mind of impurities and generates illumination of knowledge. Prana is not mere breath but it is cosmic energy. The surplus of prana in the solar plexus which is batter of human body.
rfLeulfr 'okliz'okl;ksxZfr foPNsn% izk.kk;ke%
PYS – 2.49
Pranayama is the method of rhythmic regulation of breath. It produces stability in the body and equality in the mind of an individual.
PRATHYAHARA
According to Patanjali
Lofo"k;klEiz;ksxs fpÙkL;Lo:ikuqdkj bosfUnz;k.kka izR;kgkj%
PYS – 2.54
Withdrawal of the senses from all worldly desires and temptations and keeping them fix in the pure nature of citta is called pratyahara. If the mind is withdrawn from external sensible objects. The external senses are automatically withdrawn from them. The restraint of the external sense depends upon the restraint of mind. It can be acquired by repeated practice resolute will and sense control.
DHARANA
Maharshi Patanjali has defined dharana
ns'kcU/f'pÙkL; /kj.kkA 3-1
Complete absorption of the mind in any auspicious worldly object which help in concentration. This involve concentration of mind, it is true. Everything is possible to those who can concentrate to break through the barriers of ordinary sense perception and to press forward fearlessly in our search for inner knowledge.

DHYANA
According to P.Y.S.
r=k izR;;saDrkurk è;kue~AA 3-2
The continuous flow of consciousness, unbroken like a stream of oil, towards a fixed internal auspicious object of dharana i.e. soul is called dhyana.
Dhyana involves relaxed dwelling of mind for a longer duration in the object of mediation.
SAMADHI
Maharashi Patanjali said;
rnsokFkZ ek=k fuHkkZla Lo:i'kqU;feo lekf/%AA 3-3
When the mediator, the object on which one mediates and the process of meditation all these three the trinity does not remain 3 separate entities but becomes one, that stage is called samadhi.
Conclusion :
Patanjali says, one can avoid sorrow and pain that has not yet manifested and how does one do that? By practising Yoga.
All paths of yoga have the same goal – liberation of the mind from all obstacles to realizing the self. Yoga is the dissolution of the psychological division within oneself. By examining your thoughts, words and action with awareness and discrimination, you can come to an understanding of why problems and obstacles occur, and by which means they can be avoided.
By turning the attention within (self awareness) to observe the inner obstacles, thoughts and feelings, the obstruction will be revealed. You will realize what agitates the mind and veils the truth.
Reference Book
1. The Holistic Yoga – Swami Shantidharmanda Saraswati.
2. Yoga – The Science of Holistic Living – Vivekanand Kendra Patrika
3. Four Chapter on Freedom – Swami Satyanand Saraswati