HINDUISM

The eight limbs and four types of Yoga :

The spiritual side of yoga

Subhamoy DAS

Despite its amazing growth in popularity, many serious practitioners of the ancient art of yoga see it as nothing more than a series of powerful physical exercises designed to give one a perfect body.

First and foremost, yoga is a systematic process of spiritual unfolding. The path of yoga teaches us how to integrate and heal our personal existence, as well as harmonize our individual consciousness with God. Devotional meditation upon God is at the very heart of any good yoga practice. For this reason, yoga has often been called “meditation in motion”.

The eight limbs of yoga

While the physical component of yoga is certainly of importance, it is only one of the eight traditional limbs of yoga practice, all of which have meditation on God as their purpose. These are the eight limbs of the complete yoga system as they are found in the famous yoga textbook known as the Yoga Sutras, written by the sage Patanjali in circa 200 B.C. Briefly, they are as follows:

1. Yama: These are five positive ethical guidelines (restraints, or abstinences) that include non-violence, fidelity to the Absolute, non-stealing, truthfulness and non-attachment.

2. Niyama: These are five positive behaviors, including cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study and devotion to God.

3. Asana: These are the actual physical exercises that people usually associate with yoga. These powerful poses are designed to give our bodies strength, flexibility and energy. They also contribute to the deep sense of relaxation that is necessary in order to lovingly meditate on the Absolute.

4. Pranayama: These are the energizing breathing exercises that produce vitality, overall health and inner calm.

5. Pratyahara: This is detachment from the ever-present fluctuations of life. Through this practice, we can transcend all the trials and sufferings that life often seems to throw our way and begin to see such challenges in a positive and healing light.

6. Dharana: This is the practice of power ful and focused concentration.

7. Dhyana: This is devotional meditation on God, designed to still the agitations of the mind and open the heart to God's healing love. 8. Samadhi: This is blissful absorption of one's individual consciousness in the essence of God. In this state, the yogi experiences the direct presence of God in his or her life at all times. The result of samadhi is peace, bliss and happiness without end.

Ashtanga yoga

These eight limbs together constitute the complete system known as classical Ashtanga Yoga. When yoga is diligently practiced under the guidance of a well-trained spiritual teacher (guru), it can lead to liberation from all illusion and suffering.

The four types of Yoga

Theologically speaking, there are four divisions of Yoga, that form one of the cornerstones of Hinduism. In Sanskrit, they are called Raja-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga and Jnana-Yoga.

And the person who seeks this kind of a union is called a ‘Yogi':

1. Karma-Yoga: The worker is called the Karma-Yogi.

2. Raja-Yoga: One who seeks this union through mysticism is called a Raja-Yogi.

3. Bhakti-Yoga: One who searches this union in love is a Bhakti-Yogi.

4. Jnana-Yoga: One who seeks this Yoga through philosophy is called the Jnana-Yogi.

The real meaning of yoga

Swami Vivekananda has succinctly explained this as follows: “To the worker, it is union between men and the whole of humanity; to the mystic, between his lower and Higher Self; to the lover, union between himself and the God of love; and to the philosopher, it is union of all existence. This is what is meant by Yoga.”

Yoga is the ideal of Hinduism

An ideal human being, according to Hinduism, is one who has all the elements of philosophy, mysticism, emotion, and work present in him in equal proportions.

To become harmoniously balanced in all these four directions is the ideal of Hinduism, and this is attained by what is known as “Yoga” or union.

The spiritual dimension of yoga

If you've ever tried a yoga class, try going that next crucial step and explore the spiritual dimensions of yoga. And come back to your true self.

This article includes excerpts from the writings of Dr. Frank Gaetano Morales, a PhD from the Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a world-renowned authority on yoga, spirituality, meditation and achieving self-realization. Reproduced with permission of the author.

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His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar:

Great Spiritual and Humanitarian Leader

Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who established “the Art of Living”, an educational and humanitarian organization in 1981, was born in 1956 in Southern India. He astonished his teachers by recitating the Bhagavad Gita at the age of four and stated lessons with bus first teacher Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi, a close associate of Mahtma Gandhi. He became a scholar in vedic literature and obtained an Advanced Degree in modern science at the age of seventeen.

In fact, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is engaged in bridging religious, social, ideological and economic ideas in society by enlivening the ancient Indian ideal of “One World Family”. He reminds us that diverse traditions and cultures have their roots in the same basic human values of peace, compassion, truth and non-violence.

Indeed, “the Art of Living” serves society with a non denominational secular and holistic approach.

In February 2006, at the Art of Living Foundations 25th celebrations held in Bangalore, India, an estimated 2.5 million people from 110 countries gathered to celebrate the Spirit of Service and togetherness. The historic gathering included 1,000 leaders from ten main religious traditions of the world and more than 750 key political personalities from various countries indeed, it was the large recorded meditation for world peace in history.

Further, he was instrumental in the formation of the committee for peace in Sri Lanka comprising Hindus, and Buddhist leaders including Dalai Lama. Indeed, the Art of Living programmes eliminate stress and create a sense of well-being, restore human values and encourage people to get together for service.

Humanitarian leader

His holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar is a universally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader. His vision of violence force, stress free society through the reawakening of human values has inspired millions to broaden their spheres of responsibilities and work towards the betterment of the world. He is a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional personality whose initiatives includes conflict resolution, poverty alleviation, religious education for all.

Furthermore, he reached out to an estimated more than 300 million people worldwide through personal interactions, public events, teachings, art of living workshop and humanitarian initiatives. He has invited people of different traditions and faiths into a spiritual communion across the length and breadth of India.

He has brought to the masses ancient practices which were traditionally kept exclusive and has designed many self development techniques which can be easily integrated into daily life to calm the mind and until confidence and enthusiasm.

One of his most unique offerings to the world is “Sudharshan Kriya”, a powerful breathing technique that facilitates physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.

Further, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been bestowed with several awards which include honorary doctorates from several universities, leadership award for extra-ordinary promotion for world peace and prestigious title of “Yoga Shironman,” (Supreme Jewel of Yoga).

Besides, he has been conferred with the “Order of the pole star,” top civilian honour of Mongolia by the President of Mongolia.The Rajiv Gandhi, University of Health Science, India’s largest medical university conferred him with Honorary Doctorate in Science in 2007. Undoubtedly, the Message of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will redeem millions from violence, tension and hatred and lead them to a path of peace, harmony, unity, amity and sanity.

Abirami Pattar’s festival in Sri Lanka and Thirukadaiyur

Chelvatamby MANICCAVASAGAR

Every year during the Tamil month or Thai (January) in New Moon Day (Amavasai) “Abirami Pattar” festival is celebrated in temples in Sri Lanka and at Thirukadaiyur in South India.

In fact, many years ago in South India there was one devotee of Goddess Abirami called Subramaniam in Thiru Kadaiyur, Tamil Nadu. He had deep devotion towards the Mother Goddess Abirami, indulging in performing poojas, showering of flowers at the Feet of Goddess Abirami.

One day King Saraboji visited this temple when devotee Subramanian was in deep meditation.

The king was provoked seeing Subramanian's indifferent attitude and disrespect he showed towards the King's arrival at the temple.

The King asked the devotees who were in the temple who that man was. One of the devotees told the king that he was a mad man who always think that other women as Goddess “Amman” and shower flowers on them.

But, the Chief Priest of this temple told the King that he was devout devotee of Goddess Abirami. But, the King wanted to test who he was! So, King Saroboji looked at Subramanian who was in deep meditation and asked him whether today is “New Moon Day” (Amavasai) or “Full Moon Day”. At that time Subramanian was in eternal bliss of Goddess Abirami enjoying her beautiful face surrounded with thousands of sunlights. So Subramanian answered the King that the day was “Full Moon Day” which was actually “New Moon Day” (Amavasai).

The King Saraboji got angry and ordered to push Subramanian into the burning fire at the evening if the moon did not appear. Thereafter, the king's army awakened Subramanian and called him to come with them to undergo the punishment.

Returning to his consciousness, Subramanian realized that “Goddess Abirami” alone made him to say, it was Full Moon Day, when it was really a “New Moon Day” (Amavasai).

Burning fire, with rays beneath him and Subramanian was on top, inch by inch, he was moved down by the King's army. Realizing that “Goddess Abirami” alone could save him, he started singing hundred songs at Abirami (the so called (Abirami Anthathi) and prayed Her to come to his rescue.

Super power

While singing the 79th song stating that Her merciful eyes have got super power and she is the ocean of blessings with no limits, immediately Annai Abirami appeared before him and threw Her ear ring in the sky which appeared as Moon for “Full Moon Night”.

Seeing this, the “King Saraboji” was immensely pleased on Subramanian's devotion and honoured him by conferring the Title “Abirami Pattar” and King Saroboji” himself became a disciple of Abirami Pattar.

Thereafter, the king not only gave the name “Abirami Pattar”, but he also donated lands, gold and also called him as “Bharathi” for Abirami Pattar's generations.

With the blessings of Goddess Abirami, he wrote several books namely “Abirami Anthathi,” “Kallavaranar Pathigam,” Amirtha Kadeswarar Pathigam,” “Kala Samhara Moorthy Pathigam”, “Murugu Venba” and “Abirami Ammai Pathigam”.

Indeed, what we come to know from Abirami Pattar's life is that God alone is all providing, pervading super power and immoral. All the worldly creatures are not perennial. If you are really interested to see God, you are supposed to do meditation and prayers to receive His Divine Blessings.

Purpose and benefits of pilgrimage

Stephen Knapp

There are several reasons why many people go on pilgrimage tours of the holy sites and temples of India. One, of course, is to dovetail our interest in travelling and seeing foreign lands into a way of acquiring spiritual merit. Most everyone likes to travel and see new countries and sights and inspiring places, and some of the most stimulating places are those of spiritual importance where historical events or miracles have taken place, or where significant spiritual incidents have happened as described in various spiritual texts and epics, such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc.

One of the most important reasons for going on pilgrimage tours and seeing the places of spiritual importance is to meet other saintly people who follow a spiritual path and see how they live. This is especially the case with saints and sages who can help us by giving their association and sharing their spiritual knowledge and realizations. This is of prime importance for us in order to align our lives in a similar manner so we can also make spiritual progress.

Also, by studying in such spiritually vibrant holy places, even for short periods of time, or by taking bath in the spiritually powerful rivers, such experiences will purify and enliven us and give us a deeper understanding of how to live a spiritual lifestyle. Tours like this can give us an everlasting impression that will inspire us for years to come, maybe even for the rest of our lives. Such an opportunity may not happen often, even after many lifetimes, so if such a possibility does come into our lives, we should seriously take advantage of it.

Pilgrimage is a sacred journey. It is a process that is not meant to simply get away from it all, but to allow oneself to encounter, see, and experience the Divine. This is accomplished by associating with holy people, visiting the holy places where the pastimes of the Divine have taken place, and where the sacred temples allow darshhan: the Vision of the Supreme. Darshan is the process of approaching the Deity in the Temple in a state of spiritual communication, open and ready to receive sacred revalations. It means to see the Absolute Reality, and also to be seen by that Supreme Reality, God.

Pilgrimage means living very simply, and going toward what is holy and most sacred, and remaining focused on the opportunity of having a life-changing experience. In this way we will undergo voluntary austerities for purification to relieve ourselves of lifetimes of karma. This process will help change our consciousness and our perception of our spiritual identity and how we fit into this world, and help us gain access to the spiritual dimension through enlightenment.

When you are travelling in harmony with the Divine, it is not unlikely that you will experience spontaneous help from others when you may need it. This has happened to me in many ways and many times. In such a state of consciousness, seeming obstacles will quickly disappear. However, other challenges may be there to test our sincerity, but usually it is nothing so great that prevents us from reaching our goal, unless we have some serious karma to work out. It is divine guidance that assists us in our mission and prepares us for higher and higher levels of spiritual perception. Perceiving this assistance is another form of experiencing the Divine and the spiritual progress that we are making.

The objective of pilgrimage takes on more meaning when we realize the purpose of life. Life is meant for becoming free from the wheel of samsara, which means the continuous cycle of birth and death. It is for making spiritual advancement and to perceive our real identity.

Excerpted with permission from Spiritual India Handbook (Jaico Books);

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