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Shastra), Shubhchandra (Jnanarnava) and some other later works.
Hemchandra's Yoga Shastra has a special significance that it starts at the level of common man. It covers almost every facet of the meditational science and its pre-requisites. Hemchandra was a verstile genius and he appears to have used his profound and comprehensive knowledge as well as personal meditational experiences in compiling this work. A peep into the brief life sketch, given at the end, would help bring this out.
Brief synopsis of each chapter is given below :
The first chapter, details the importance of yoga and lists the five vows, supporting attitudes, and disciplines. It also details the social duties of a disciplined house-holder.
The second chapter gives detailed definitions and scope of all the vows and attitudes. It also elaborates the effects of transgression of each of these.
The third chapter gives more details on disciplines. It also describes the essential daily rituals for a house-holder. A glimpse of the ultimate goal is also given. This concludes the formal mundane disciplines.
From the fourth chapter starts the study of the deeper science of meditation. This chapter is devoted to the definitions of body, soul, knowledge
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