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| Basic
Study of Hindu Religion Hindu
Heritage Study Program
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Level 1 |
| Chapter
- I : An Primer on Hindu Religion | Lesson
- 03 : A Primer on Yoga as
Spiritual Discipline
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| | Lesson
: 03 | Spritual
Discipline to Practice Vedic Teachings - Level 1 Basic
Outlines of Practice of Yoga | |
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The
Paths of the Four Yogas for the Practice of the Faith | |
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The Spiritual Discipline and Teachings Applied for the Practice | |
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The
Philosophical teachings of Hinduism, like any scientific theory, are of no use
to the common man unless it is applied for their daily practice. It has survived
the test of time for many thousand years and still remains popular due to the
sound principles on which its practice is based. It gives different rules of ethics
and conducts for various categories of people. The Dharma Sasthras and Smrithis
teach us of normal conduct in performing our work. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
are the four Purusharthas that govern out activity. Dharma is the proper rules
of one's duty, which literally means "that which holds" the universe and
its beings. They are classified as Samanya Dharma or the general and universal
rules and Visesha Dharma or specific personal rules for each individual. They
give peace, joy, strength and tranquillity. Artha and Kama are the materialistic
desire and passion, that also govern our actions. Unless one seeks the material
benefits and pleasures within the scope of Dharma, it will cause grief with greed
and lust. Moksha is the relief from pain and suffering and ultimate liberation
that is the main reason for all our actions. | |
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ii.
The Four Yogas as Spiritual Discipline to follow the Dharma | |
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As rituals
became popular and were being considered as the sole path for the eternal bliss,
the soundness of its philosophy and ethics of practice were reestablished by the
sages. The four Yogas give us the spiritual discipline of our conduct.
Karma Yoga is the correct path of performing work without greed or desire
and the action performed without looking for the fruits of benefit or loss. Raja
Yoga is the discipline of control of our body and mind. It teaches concentration,
meditation, breathing and physical exercise and a state of equanimity of the mind
as a natural reaction to all activities. Bhakthi Yoga is the spiritual
discipline of absolute devotion and love of God. It teaches prayers and surrender
to God at all times. It teaches to see and feel God in all people and all actions.
Jnana Yoga is the path of obtaining Spiritual knowledge through action,
study, meditation and devotion.
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iii.
Development of the three Gunas in Cultural Practice | |
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Vedas describe
three personality traits, Sathvika, Rajasika and Tamasika. Sathvika Gunas
are present in the pious person who follows all teachings of the faith and Dharma.
Compassion to all animals, Ahimsa and vegetarianism are advocated as Sathva Guna.
The Rajasika Gunas are present in people who enjoyed some amount of worldly pleasures
directed by desire and ego, which are Artha and Kama. Tamasika persons have no
knowledge of the proper Dharma or they do not care for them. They are driven solely
by Artha and Kama which are passion, greed and lust. These Gunas are present in
all but one is dominant. The Yogas advocate the ways to follow the superior Sathva
Guna and the ways to suppress the undesirable Artha and Kama without the proper
Dharma. Performance of proper Dharma and all the Karma leads to a sense of peace
and equanimity of mind and eternal bliss. The individual makeup of a person, his
Guna and effects of his Karma determines the rebirth and ultimate liberation.
Performance of one's duty without devotion to God is dry and empty. Performance
of such duty should be without any attachment to its fruit but as a devotion to
God. Hinduism gave us the four Vedas, the three Agamas, the six Dharsanas and
the four Yogas. | |
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Bhagavad
Gita -- | |
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karman.yevaadhikaaras
the' maa phalesuu kadaachana | maa
karma-phala-hethur bhoor maa the' sango'sthv-akarmani ||
-II-47 || Chapter II -47 Thou
hast a right to action or work alone, and never to its fruits; let
not the fruit of work be thy motive, let not thy attachment to inaction. | | \ | | | yoga-sthah:
kuru karmaani sangam thyakthvaa dhananjaya | siddhy-asiddhyoh:
samo bhootvaa samathvam yoga uchyate' || -II-48
|| Chapter II -48 Do
thy work being steadfast in devotion and abandoning attachment, O Arjuna !
and being equal in success and failure. This evenness of mind is called Yoga
| | \ | | | doore'na
hy avaram karma buddh'i-yogaadh dh'ananjaya | buddh'au
saranam annnviccha kr.panaah phala -hethavah: ||
-II-49 || Chapter II -49 O'
Arjuna mere action performed with attachment is inferior to action performed with
mind poised in evenness. Seek shelter in this state of unperturbed evenness in
a desireless mind. Those who work for selfish gains are indeed pitiable.
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| | For
More Advanced lessons on this please go to: | |
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Hindu
Heritage Study Program
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Level 1 An
Educational Program for the Adults and Youth |
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