Yogshatakam

SR No.: 002645
Original Sutra Author: Haribhadrasuri
Author: Punyavijay
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Total Pages: 144
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Yoga
File Size: 5 MB

Page 13

INTRODUCTION
I. Preliminary
Haribhadra, a brahmin by birth and a Jain convert was not only a man of high intellectual powers but also a great visionary who brought about a unique revolution in the approach towards metaphysical and ethical thought. Here, however, we shall confine ourselves to the latter aspect and deal with his Yoga-works as the present work Yoga-Sataka relates to Jain Yoga. What is more, his works on Yoga are considered to be the best and the most outstanding amongst all his compositions. They do not delimit themselves merely to the exposition of the Jain Yoga but also comprehend a comparative study of the entire yoga in general.
However, for a proper evaluation of Haribhadra's contribution to Yoga, it is necessary to have some acquaintance with the different schools of Yoga (spiritual discipline) prevalent before Haribhadra's time. A brief outline of the same will, therefore, be not out of place here.
II. History of some Yogic terms and description of different Yogic traditions.
All the Indian philosophical systems attempt to analyse and understand the mysteries of the Universe in order to find the way out of the limitations of the worldly existence. They all unanimously aim at the perfect unfolding of the potentialities of the self with a view to achieving its innate purity. This purity is supposed to be defiled and distorted by passions in the state of worldly existence. These passions and their causes can be detected through introspection which eventually prepares the mind to overcome them. This attitude of the mind, directed on the right path, is termed Spirituality' (adhyatmikată). The ways and means or processes of realising this spirituality are many and varied; sometimes they appear to be different also. This is so because certain means or processes (leading to self-realisation) emphasise one aspect while others try to emphasise some other aspect. Even then, as these means and processes happen to have the same common goal of self-realisation, they all come under the general term 'Yoga'. To-day also we have many such schools of Yoga.