YOGA: ITS ORIGIN, DEFINITIONS & MISCONCEPTION

YOGA: ITS ORIGIN, DEFINITIONS & MISCONCEPTION
What is yoga: The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root 'juju' as also from the root 'yujir' meaning to unit or to integrate this union refers to the union of Jeevatma & parmatma i.e the union of the individual consciousness with the cosmic or divine consciousness. This concept is interpreted by many contemporary scholars as the integration of physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual aspects of human personality as also the integration or adjustment of an individual with his environment or the society.
The yogic texts describe variedly methods, paths and practices with the help of which an aspirant may achieve the final or intermediary goals of yoga.
THE FOUNDATION AND YOGA:
The foundations of ancient yoga should be studied in the following 3 principal scriptures:
(1) Early Upanishad.
(2) Bhagwad Geeta
(3) Yoga sutras of patanjali
The study of these foundation texts indicates that upanisadic yoga was essentially and spiritual discipline aiming at spiritual achievements and expansion of consciousness. In Bhagwad Geeta different definitions of yoga are given in different contexts however all such definitions are complementary to each other. According to the Upnisadic tradition yoga is a higher state of sensuousness when the activities of the 5 senses and the fluctuations of the mind are stilled and the intellect or Buddha became steady. According to Bagawad Geeta, it is a state of freedom from the influence of pain or pleasure. This is a state of equanimity over pain and pleasure, success or failure and so an. Self realization through yoga has been considered as the greatest objective
"Ayam tu paramodharmo yadyogenatma darsanam (yajna smrti 1/8).
In Vedantic traditions yoga has been considered as the principal way of self realization
Nasti yoga samara balsam (Mahabharts-12)
Yoga has been considered as the principle frequently mentioned as the method of realization of the truth in Vedic literature. Yoga appear to have been used in the literature to describe both the state of realization as well as the method or realization. The word yoga has also been used in terms of achievement of the unachievable
Yoga apraptasya prapanam. (Geeta sank 9/22)
One comes across the root of the word yoga used in the samhitas in many forms. Yoga is the union of prana apana , surya chandra, atma, parmatma and other opposite duals. Yajnavalkya considers yoga essentially as the union or integration of Atma and parmatma in vedanta, yoga means the union of jeevatma with parmatma and oneness of the jeeva and brahma "soham, tatvamasi" and other great Vedic statements (maha vakyas ) actually indirect to the some state. In another centext Yajnavalkya considers yoga as samadhi itself.
la;ksxks ;ksx bR;qDrks thokReijekReuks%A
Samadhi is achieved by merger of the concentrated mental being i.e Ekagracitta into the object. If we admit this approach there is no basic difference between the two meaning of yoga i.e samadhi and samyoga
Yoga yuktih samadhanam (taitt. Upu)
Vyasa , the commentator on yoga sutras considers yoga and samedhi as one & the same. Grammatically the bhava vyutpanna word yoga is used to indicate the vijnana or anubhava i.e the object or sadhya while karana vyutpanna word yoga is used to indicate the means methods of practices i.e the sadhana of the aforesaid anubhava or realization thus the word 'yoga' is used to indicate the means methods or proactive i.e the sadhana of the aforesaid anubhava or realization thus the word 'yoga' is used both as sadhya (objects) as well as the sadhana (means)
In bhagwad Geeta different definitions of yoga are given in different context. However all such definitions are complementary to each other. The three main definitions of yoga according to bhagwad Geeta are summarized below.
¶ra fokr nq%[k la;ksx fo;ksxa ;ksx lafKre¸AA 6-23
According to this definition yoga is disunion or negation of union of the self with sorrow.
;ksxLFk% dq: dekZf.k laxa R;DRok /uat;
fl¼flf¼;ks% leks HkwRok leRoa ;ksx mP;rsA¸ 2-48
This means that yoga is an attitude or state of mind with equanimity over success and failure in action under taken without attachment for its reward.
¶;ksx% deZlq dka'kye~¸AA
This popular definition of yoga refers to the theme of karma yoga. Yoga is skill inaction means that an action should be preformed in such a way that an action should be performed in way that it does not became the cause of bondage.
According to patanjali yoga darshana
;ksxf'pÙko`fÙk fujks/%AA
Yoga in the state of cessation of all fluctuations of mental beings. When the fluctuations of the mental being case, the Atma attains it's own pure and original status and character
rnk nz"Vq% Lo:is¿oL;kue~AA
In the absence of such a state, the Atma is over shadowed with the fluctuation of citta vrittis .
According to patanjali the state of citta vritti nirodha can be achieved by abhyasa (continued practices) and vairagya (renunciation). Patanjali has propounded the comprehensive and multi objective antaranga and bahiranga practices of yoga through the classical astanga yoga in the form of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
But the main object of the classical yoga of patanjali is realization of the ultimate truth.


MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOGA
Yoga is very ancient discipline and recognized as one of the most valuable heritage in India. Today, the whole world is looking to yoga for the answer to various problems modern are facing.
Inspire of the fact, that yoga has been globalizes, we would find many misconception about yoga, the most common among them are
(1) yoga is the only system of therapy:
Some person think that yoga is medicinal in value and is a system of therapy which can cure all disease.
(2) yoga as magic, miracles & mysticism:
Some people associated it with the idea of the supernatural or linked with miracles they equated it with mysticism, black magic or various types of mortification
(3) not for ordinary persons :
Some people believe that yoga is not meant for ordinary persons, the house- holders i.e not for ordinary people
(4) yoga means asana or physical posture only:
A lot of person believe that yoga is only physical posture, by practicing these only physical benefits can be obtained.
(5) yoga means renunciation of world:
To some, because of lack of knowledge our literature and the essence of yoga. They consider that follow and practice yoga.
(6) As science and art :
Some people believe that yoga as a science in the modern scientific paradigm and as an art.
(7) yoga is a religion :
Yoga is a systematic science it's teaching are an integral part of most religious, but yoga itself in not a religion. Most religions teach what to do, but yoga teacher to be yet yoga practices, described in symbolic language may be found in the sacred scriptures of most religions.
(8) yoga no practical approach.
Some people believe that yoga has no practical approach, consider, that yoga as a system of philosophy consider with metaphysical theories about the universe
(9) Misconception about asana & exercise:
People are unaware about yogic practice (asana) and physical exercise. There conceder that these are physical i.e at body level only but actually , yogic practices are psychosomatic practices.
All the above misconceptions indicate that most people are unable to use yoga as whole concepts but are only aware of a fragment of it's potential.