Aims And Objectives Of Yoga

Introduction

Yoga is an eternal science for the overall development of an individual. The tradition of Yoga dates back to the inception of creation, from pre-Vedic times to the 21st century! Today, Yoga is the most sought-after science, by people from all walks of life, across the globe with various innovative ways of integrating it into daily living.

Some are using Yoga as a therapy for curing various illnesses of mind and body, while others have understood only its theoretical perspective. Therefore, people are more or less aware of only one or two dimensions of Yoga and have completely missed out on accepting Yoga as a science for living a healthy, happy, prosperous, and peaceful life, and attaining the ultimate happiness in the state of Samadhi.

Unfortunately, people haven’t understood its true form as was propounded by Ishwara and experimented with and experienced by Rishis. Because of a lack of clear understanding of Yoga, various misconceptions have spread in society as well. Here, we will be presenting the true form of Yoga, its aim and objectives, and principles to the readers. In addition, various misconceptions associated with Yoga will be clarified here.

 

Aims Of Yoga

From time immemorial, our Rishis have experimented, experienced, and expressed Jnana that they received from Ishwara, in the Vedas. Yoga is one such eternal gift of Ishwara. The Aim Of Yoga Is Mukti i.e. to liberate the person from the three kinds of Dukh. Mukti is attained in two steps, first Jeevanmukti and then Videhamukti. The Vedas enumerate Shadripus [ Six Enemies ] in a person that is the cause of Dukh. These enemies are not outside but originate inside the person. These six are:

Kama [ Lust ] – Means to want something without restraint, desire for some emotional fulfillment from another person, or attraction to another. Without caring how one obtains that object/situation. Kama means selfishness, caring only about oneself and one’s own comfort. The Kama is a fire that is difficult to extinguish.

Krodha [ Anger ] – Means anger, which springs from the frustration of unfulfilled desire. In anger, there is a desire to harm, hurt, destroy, break, fight, etc. Anger can be very toxic and damaging to one’s overall health.

Lobha [ Greed ] – Endless desires, cravings, and wanting everything only for ourselves. Greed also springs from desire and turns into anger, when unfulfilled.

Moha [ Avidya/Ignorance ] – Ignorance or lack of the right knowledge about Jeeva, Prakriti, and Ishwara, is one of the root causes of sorrow and miseries.

Mada [ Ego ] – is a false self-pride that originates from ignorance. The ego can never love or be loved. The ego cannot be intelligent. The ego puffs up like a frog, full of self-pride. To overcome ego, one must cultivate humility, modesty, and show reverence and gratitude. The ego is rigid, expecting everyone and everything to bow to its wishes.

Matsya [ Jealousy ] – The feeling is aroused when others’ desires are fulfilled. Jealousy is vicious, like a rat, biting at everyone and everything, filled with spite and hatred. Jealousy is like a snake full of venom. Jealousy is a scorpion filled with poison.

These six vices, overpower a man’s intellect, reasoning, and logic, and take over the control of one’s mind. These emotions disturb the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of an individual. As soon as the person realizes that he has done wrong by coming under their influence, he is filled with regret and depression. These emotions not only affect the person during the time they are active but also mark its presence even after they have subsided. Freedom or liberation from these six vices, during one’s lifetime, is Jeevanmukti and such a person is called Jeevanmukta.

A Jeevanmukta, attains Videhamukti after death. According to the Vedic tradition, the Atman continues the journey of birth and re-birth, either as a human or as any other creature until the attainment of Videhamukti. The total age of a Srishti [ Creation ] is approx. 4,32,00,00,000 Years and it takes the same number of years for destruction. According to our Rishis, who have studied this subject in great depth and detail, on the attainment of Videhamukti, the Atman resides in the abode of the Ishwara and enjoys unprecedented bliss for a period of 36,000 times the total time of the creation of the Universe and its destruction i.e. for a period of 36000* [ 4,32,00,00,000 + 4,32,00,00,000 ] i.e. 311 Trillion and 40 Million Years. As the length of time of this period is very huge, it is believed that after Videhamukti the Atman doesn’t embody, but in reality, that is not the case.

After Videhamukti the Atman doesn’t embody and enjoys bliss in the abode of Ishwara for a period of 36000 times the time for creation and destruction of the Universe.

 

Objectives Of Yoga

• • To Lead The Sadhaka Towards The Attainment Of Samadhi [ Sakshatkar ] – Yoga has several meanings, but in the Yogic context and tradition, it means Samadhi or Sakshatkar i.e. to know things as they truly are. With the diligent practice of Tapa, Swadhyaya, and Dhyana, a Sadhaka gains the highest knowledge of Ishwara and finally attains Samadhi.

• • To Attain Freedom From The Miseries And Sorrows Of life – Sorrows, miseries, and suffering [Dukh] are inevitable parts of life. Knowledge regarding their origin, causes, and even categorization helps one to minimize their effect, if not eradicate them. Vedas and Vedic scriptures call them ‘Tapatrayas,’ [ The Three Miseries ] and categorize them into Adhyatmika, Adhidaivika, and Adhibhautika.

1- Adhibhautika: Perception of sorrows caused by other living beings.
2- Adhidaivika: Perception of sorrows caused by Daiva, unseen forces, and Gods or fate.
3- Adhyatmika: Misery one experiences due to ignorance about Atman, body, and/or the mind.

Adhyatmika Dukh is that which is caused by bodily suffering and mental anguish. Hereditary diseases like leprosy, disabilities like blindness or lameness, and diseases caused by the violation of the rules of health and sanitation are classified under this category of sorrow. The mental agony caused by worries and anxieties, attachment and aversion, is also categorized under this group.

Adhidaivika Dukh is that which is caused by Daiva. The word Daiva includes the power of time, nature, and the unseen hand of fate. Diseases caused by the changing seasons, the misery caused by the elemental forces like floods and fire, suffering caused by black magic or disembodied spirits or Gods who are displeased, natural tribulations due to hunger, thirst, and old age belong to this category of suffering.

Adhibhautika Dukh is that which is caused by other Bhutas or living beings, like wild animals, snakes, or enemies.

Spiritual knowledge is the only solution to transcend these Dukh, as with the right knowledge of Ishwara, Jeevatma, and Prakriti, one can attain freedom from all suffering. Suffering due to diseases caused by the change of seasons, natural calamities, etc., can be countered by taking appropriate precautions. However, raising the mind to the level of the spirit, thus transcending the limitations imposed by the body-mind complex, is the only solution to be liberated from sorrows and miseries.

• • To Achieve Eternal Happiness – In order to attain ultimate eternal, everlasting happiness, one must tread the yogic path, the path walked by the Rishis as they received this wisdom from Ishwara.

• • To Understand That Only Ishwara, Jeeva And Prakrti, Are Eternal, Infinite, And Immortal, Everything Else Is Transitory – Vedas are written wisdom, knowledge, and words of Ishwar and manifest nature is His open book, created for the Jeevatma to live a meaningful, purposeful, and fulfilled life, which results in Ishwara Sakshatkar. Whatever Ishwara has propounded in Vedas can be visually observed as a happening in nature. With such a vision the Yoga Sadhaka understands that everything visible in nature is transient and with Swadhyaya he understands that only Ishwara, Jeeva, and Prakrti are Nitya [ Permanent ] and everything else is Anitya [ Transient or Temporary ].

• • To Inspire The Aspirant Towards Jeevan Shuddhi [ Purification Of Body, Mind, And Spirit ] And Jagat Shuddhi [ Selfless Service To The Community ] – Every individual’s first and foremost responsibility is to purify himself/herself from the six vices – Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, and Matsarya that is Jeevan Shuddhi. With the sincere practice of Tapa, Swadhyay, and Dhyana [ Yoga ], a person can attain freedom from impurities and provide selfless service to the society by propagating the messages of Rishis, educating and increasing the awareness of the rich heritage of Rishi Tradition, and inspire people to lead a life with a sense of responsibility, commitment and attitude that the whole world is one big family [ Vasudaiva Kutumbakam ]. This is the process of Jagat Shuddhi.

• • To Interact With Every Object – Person, Place, Thing, Or Situation Appropriately – He who is established in Jnana and acts accordingly knows how to deal in situations.

• • Being Physically Fit, Mentally Sound, Socially Empathetic, And Intellectually Enlightened – Yoga with its multifaced dimensions touches every aspect of an individual by its systematic and conscious process of calming down the mind, erasing the weaknesses in the mind, and building willpower into it. In such a mind, each obstacle is conceived as a challenge that arouses tremendous energy to combat every situation with wisdom and knowledge [ Jnana ]. Bravery becomes a part of such a person’s personality. Steadfast to the core, such a person takes up the challenges of life with marvelous temperance and converts them into opportunities for accomplishing his mission of attaining Ishwara Sakshatkar!

Yoga Performs The Following Functions

1- It gives deep relaxation at the muscular level.
2- It slows down the breath and maintains balance at the Pranic level.
3- It increases creativity and willpower at the mental level.
4- It sharpens the intellect and calms the mind down at the intellectual level.
5- It enhances happiness in life and equipoise at the emotional level.
6- It manifests the inherent divinity in man in all aspects of his life.

Yoga is not a mere exercise but much more than that. It is the integration of the mind, body, and spirit into one harmonious whole. It strives for attaining inner peace and union with the environment by means of quietening the constant chatter of the mind, creating a healthy body, and being at peace with oneself and the world around one. Achieving this harmony is the core of yoga!

 

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