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Yoga Sutras
The ''Yoga Sutras of Patañjali'' (IAST: Patañjali yoga-sūtra) is a compilation "from a variety of sources" of Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the practice of yoga – 195 sutras (according to Vyasa, Vyāsa and Krishnamacharya) and 196 sutras (according to others, including BKS Iyengar). The ''Yoga Sutras'' were compiled in India in the early centuries CE by the sage Patanjali, who collected and organized knowledge about yoga from Samkhya, Buddhism, and older Yoga traditions, and possibly another compiler who may have added the fourth chapter. He may also be the author of the ''Yogabhashya'', a commentary on the ''Yoga Sutras'', traditionally attributed to the legendary Vedic sage Vyasa, but possibly forming a joint work of Patanjali called the ''Pātañjalayogaśāstra''. The ''Yoga Sutras'' draw from three distinct traditions from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE, namely Samkhya, Buddhism traditions, and "various older ascetic and religious strands of speculatio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nirvikalpa Samadhi
file:Shiva meditating Rishikesh.jpg, Statue of a meditating Shiva, Rishikesh ''Samādhi'' (Pali and ), in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, is a state of meditation, meditative consciousness. In many Indian religious traditions, the cultivation of Samādhi through various meditation methods is essential for the attainment of spiritual liberation (known variously as nirvana, moksha). In Buddhism, it is the last of the eight elements of the Noble Eightfold Path. In the Ashtanga (eight limbs of yoga), Ashtanga Yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga Sutras'' of Patanjali. In Jain meditation, samadhi is considered one of the last stages of the practice just prior to liberation. In the oldest Buddhist sutra, sutras, on which several contemporary western Theravada teachers rely, it refers to the development of an investigative and luminous mind that is Upekkha, equanimous and mindful. In the yogic traditions and the Budd ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prakriti
Prakriti ( ) is "the original or natural form or condition of anything, original or primary substance". It is a key concept in Hinduism, formulated by the ''Samkhya'' school, where it does not refer merely to matter or nature, but includes all cognitive, moral, psychological, emotional, sensorial and physical aspects of reality. ''Prakriti'' has three different innate qualities ( ''guṇas''), whose equilibrium is the basis of all empirical reality, in the form of the five panchamahabhootas (basic elements) – Akasha, Vayu, Agni, Jala, Pruthvi. ''Prakriti'' contrasts with '' Puruṣa'', which is pure awareness and metaphysical consciousness.James G. Lochtefeld (2001), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M, Rosen Publishing, , Pages 224, 265, 520 The term is also found in the texts of other Indian religions such as Jainism and Buddhism. Etymology and meaning ''Prakriti'' (Sanskrit: प्रकृति) is an early Indic concept meaning "making or placing before or at f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Purusha
''Purusha'' (, ʊɾʊʂᵊ ) is a complex concept whose meaning evolved in Vedic and Upanishadic times. Depending on source and historical timeline, it means the cosmic being or self, awareness, and universal principle.Karl Potter, Presuppositions of India’s Philosophies, Motilal Banarsidass, , pp 105–109 In early Vedas, ''Purusha'' was a cosmic being whose sacrifice by the gods created all life. This was one of many creation myths discussed in the Vedas. In the Upanishads, the ''Purusha'' concept refers to the abstract essence of the Self, Spirit and the Universal Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form, and all-pervasive. In Samkhya philosophy, ''Purusha'' is the plural immobile cosmic principle, pure consciousness, unattached and unrelated to anything, which is "nonactive, unchanging, eternal, and pure". ''Purusha'' uniting with '' Prakṛti'' (matter) gives rise to life. In Kashmir Shaivism, ''Purusha'' is enveloped in five sheaths of time (''kā ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dhyana In Hinduism
Dhyāna (Sanskrit: ध्यान) in Hinduism means meditation and contemplation. ''Dhyana'' is taken up in Yoga practices, and is a means to ''samadhi'' and self-knowledge. The various concepts of ''dhyana'' and its practice originated in the Sramanic movement of ancient India, which started before the 6th century BCE (pre-Buddha, pre-Mahavira), and the practice has been influential within the diverse traditions of Hinduism. It is, in Hinduism, a part of a self-directed awareness and unifying Yoga process by which the yogi realizes Self (Atman, soul), one's relationship with other living beings, and the Ultimate Reality.Edwin Bryant (2009), The Yoga sūtras of Patañjali: a new edition, translation, and commentary with insights from the traditional commentators, North Point Press, , pages xxii, xxix-xxx Dhyana is also part of other Indian religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. Several other traditions introduce unique aspects and context to ''Dhyana'', and mutually influen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Citta
''Citta'' (Pali and Sanskrit: चित्त, or in Prakrit script 𑀘𑀺𑀢𑁆𑀢, pronounced ''chitta'' ͡ɕit̚.tɐ́sup>( key)) is one of three overlapping terms used in the Nikaya to refer to the mind, the others being '' manas'' and '' viññāṇa''. Each is sometimes used in the generic and non-technical sense of "mind" in general, and the three are sometimes used in sequence to refer to one's mental processes as a whole. However, their primary uses are distinct. Usage The Pali–English Dictionary translates ''citta'' as heart or heart-mind, emphasizing it as more the passionate side of the mind, as opposed to manas as the intellect that grasps mental objects (''dhamma''). ''Citta'' is the object of meditation in the third part of Satipatthana, also called Four Foundations of Mindfulness. ''Citta'' primarily represents one's mindset, or state of mind. It is the term used to refer to the quality of mental processes as a whole. ''Citta'' is classified as a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dhāraṇā
''Dhāraṇā'' () is the sixth limb of eight elucidated by Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga in his ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali''. It is directing and maintaining the mind's attention to a specific location of the body after sense-withdrawal has been attained. Etymology ''Dhāraṇā'' is translated as "firmness, steadfastness, certainty," as "the act of holding, bearing, wearing, supporting, maintaining, retaining, keeping back (in remembrance), a good memory," and also as "collection or concentration of the mind (joined with the retention of breath)."Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier Monier-Williams, (c) 1899 This term is related to the verbal Sanskrit roots ''dha'' and ''ana'', to hold, carry, maintain, resolve. Dharana is the noun. Yoga Sutras Yoga Sutras verse III.1 states ''deśa-bandhaś cittasya dhāraņā'', meaning: * ''deśa'': "place" "location," "spot" * ''bandhaś'' (''bandhah''): "bound, fixed" * ''cittasya'': "of the mind," "whose mind," "senses" * ''d ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pratyahara
Pratyahara () or the 'gathering towards' is the fifth element among the Eight stages of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga, as mentioned in his classical work, ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'' composed in the 2nd century BCE. It is also the first stage of the six-branch yoga (''ṣaḍaṅgayoga'') of the Buddhist Kālacakra tantra, where it refers to the withdrawal of the five senses from external objects to be replaced by the mentally created senses of an enlightened deity. This phase is roughly analogous to the physical isolation (''kāyaviveka'', Tib. ''lus bden'') phase of Guhyasamāja tantra. For Patanjali, it is a bridge between the ''bahiranga'' (external) aspects of yoga namely, yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, and the ''antaranga'' (internal) yoga. Having actualized the pratyahara stage, a practitioner is able to effectively engage into the practice of Samyama. At the stage of pratyahara, the consciousness of the individual is internalized in order that the sensations from the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pranayama
Pranayama (Sanskrit: प्राणायाम, "Prāṇāyāma") is the yogic practice of focusing on breath. In classical yoga, the breath is associated with '' prana'', thus, pranayama is a means to elevate the ''prana-shakti'', or life energies. Pranayama is described in Hindu texts such as the ''Bhagavad Gita'' and the ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali''. Later, in Hatha yoga texts, it meant the complete suspension of breathing. The pranayama practices in modern yoga as exercise differ from those of the Hatha yoga tradition, often using the breath in synchrony with movements. Etymology ''Prāṇāyāma'' (Devanagari: ') is a Sanskrit compound. It is defined variously by different authors. Macdonell gives the etymology as prana ('), breath, + ''āyāma'' and defines it as the suspension of breath. Monier-Williams defines the compound ' as "of the three 'breath-exercises' performed during (''See'' ', ', '". Monier-Williams, p706, left column./ref> This technical defi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Asana
An āsana (Sanskrit: आसन) is a body posture, originally and still a general term for a sitting meditation pose,Verse 46, chapter II, "Patanjali Yoga sutras" by Swami Prabhavananda, published by the Sri Ramakrishna Math p. 111 and later extended in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise, to any type of position, adding reclining, standing, inverted, twisting, and balancing poses. The ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'' define "asana" as " position thatis steady and comfortable". Patanjali mentions the ability to sit for extended periods as one of the eight limbs of his system. Patanjali '' Yoga sutras'', Book II:29, 46 Asanas are also called yoga poses or yoga postures in English. The 10th or 11th century '' Goraksha Sataka'' and the 15th century '' Hatha Yoga Pradipika'' identify 84 asanas; the 17th century '' Hatha Ratnavali'' provides a different list of 84 asanas, describing some of them. In the 20th century, Indian nationalism favoured physical culture in response t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Niyama
Niyamas () are positive duties or observances. In Dharma, particularly Yoga, ''niyamas'' and their complement, yamas, are recommended activities and habits for healthy living, spiritual enlightenment, and a liberated state of existence. It has multiple meanings depending on context in Hinduism. In Buddhism, the term extends to the determinations of nature, as in the Buddhist ''niyama dhammas''. Etymology ''Niyama'' (नियम) is derived from the Sanskrit root ''niyam'' (नियम्) which means "to hold". Thus, ''niyama'' translates to "rule", "observances", or "practices of self-restraint". Hinduism Within the Yoga school of Hindu philosophy, ''niyamas'' are described in the eight limbs (steps; ashtanga yoga) of yoga. ''Niyama'' is the second limb which includes virtuous habits, behaviors, and observances (the "dos"). These virtues and ethical premises are considered in Hinduism as necessary for an individual to achieve a liberation or moksha. Five niyamas In Pat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yamas
The (), and their complement, the niyamas, represent a series of "right living" or ethical rules within Yoga philosophy. The word means "reining in" or "control". They are restraints for proper conduct given in the Vedas and the Yoga Sutras as moral imperatives, commandments, rules or goals. The are a "don't"s list of self-restraints, typically representing commitments that affect one's relations with others and self. The complementary represent the "do"s. Together and are personal obligations to live well. The earliest mention of is in the Rigveda. More than fifty texts of Hinduism, from its various traditions, discuss . Patañjali lists five in his Yoga Sūtras. Ten yamas are codified as "the restraints" in numerous Hindu texts, including Yajnavalkya Smriti in verse 3.313, the Śāṇḍilya and Vārāha Upanishads, the '' Hatha Yoga Pradipika'' by Svātmārāma, and the Tirumantiram of Tirumular. The apply broadly and include self-restraints in one's actions, w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
