Yog Shastra Chapter 1

Unit Structure

1.0 Objectives

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Significance

1.2.1 Definition, Nature and Scope of Yoga

1.2.2 What is Patanjalis  yogadarsan ?

1.2.3 Why is hatha  Yoga called caturanga yoga?

1.2.4 What is Gheranda Samhita?

1.0 Objectives

 By the end of this unit, the student will be able to:

1) Understand the definition, meaning, nature and scope of Yoga.

2) Understand the eight limbed yoga of Patanjali.

3) Know different aspects of .

4) Know the seven limbs of Gheranda  a Samhita.

1.1 Introduction

     In today s scientific era, man has achieved success in many fields. Internet has brought the world communities together. Within hours, we can travel across the world. Man has already stepped on the moon and even wishes land on other planetsas well. With the advancements in the medical field, organ transplantation is now a reality. Though man has been able to design and develop time-and-labor-saving machines that provide physical comforts, yet he is not happy.

       Today new generation is lending  a fact paced life that was never heard before, which on one hand is providing them with financial independence and technological advancements but on the other hand they are leading a  very stressful life with strained relationships. They can hardly enjoy the fruits of their labor as they are highly stressed out. Stress has given rise to many diseases like insomnia (lack of sleep), diabetes, high blood pressure (B.P), irritation and many such problems as if these diseases are a curse on our generation. We and our society are responsible for this state of affairs. Faulty lifestyles, wrong food habits, environmental imbalances caused by humans, undue emphasis on competitiveness and carnal pleasures, social, financial and psychological insecurities, low nutritional food and many such factors are affect  individual's  as well  as societal wellbeing. Even the tremendous scientific developments in the modern era are unable to address the problems concerning our health and wellbeing.

Yoga, one of the great tradional systems of ancient India is a perfect remedy for all the physical, mental, emotional maladies that the modern man is suffering from. In fact. Yoga is the only ray of hope that can bring holistic   wellness  to the human beings. Therefore  the study of the yoga sastara is the need of the time. Yogis not merely a physical exercise or a treatment or technique but is a way of life in which the body, mind, intellect and the soul are aligned and integrated with the collective consciousness. Thus yoga is a way of life. It is based on the philosophy of unity and oneness. Just as a limb separated from the body or a branch separated from a tree cannot survive, similarly a person disconnected with others, nature or soul, emotionally or otherwise, cannot remain happy for for long nor can he progress in life. Yoga sadhana  is not physical posture's regulated breathing or an effort to

achieve concentration; it is also not just a one hour of practice in the morning but twenty-four hour integration with that unitary self that has manifested itself into myriad bodies and forms of the visible world. In this lesson, we will learn about the nature and various streams of yoga shastra.

                                                                                             

 to be continue...