| Essence Of Hinduism |
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HINDU THEISM |
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| Patanjali's yoga is
described as astanga yoga or yoga having eight accessories. In other words, we have eight
kinds of mental and moral discipline, namely, Yama, niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara,
Dharana, Dhyana and samadhi. Only a brief explanation of these words can be attempted
here. For fuller details the student has to read technical books on the subject. The first two, Yama and niyama, indicate the preliminary ethical preparation necessary for a yogin. Yama means abstention. The Sadhaka or the student should abstain from slaughter falsehood, theft, incontinence an possession. Of these abstentions the most important is the first. All virtues are rooted in ahimsa or non violence. But we have already discussed this cardinal virtue and all that it implies. Niyama is observance. It comprises purity of mind and body, contentment, austerity, study of sacred books and prayer to God. Thus Yama and niyama, or abstention and observance are intended for the moral training of the Sadhaka. Then the next three, namely, asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara, are also preliminary accessories to yoga. Asana is the posture suitable for meditation. It is a physical help to concentration. After the preliminary moral training a man should cultivate the habit of sitting in a convenient posture for concentrating his mind. Patanjali defines asana as sthira - sukham - asanam, that is, a posture that is steady and comfortable. |
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