Bhagavana Mahavira

Author(s): Chauthmal Maharaj
Publisher: Jainoday Pustak Prakashan Samiti Ratlam

Page 78

Bhagawan Mahavir ]
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of Asanas (postures of the body) were to be practised according to this art. This was the art which could remove all the defects from the body. the people of those days could acquire good health according to their liking by practising Yoga. The eight limbs of yoga, viz., Yam, Niyam, Asan, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana and Samadhi, were taught in the proper manner. The diseases which were uncurable by medicines were cured by the practice of Yoga. Of all the eight angas of Yoga, mentioned above, Pranayama and Asana i. e. control of breath or postures were most important; Pranayama made internal purification, and Asans brought about complete physical development. The people of those days knew that the Asanas should be practised in the morning and the evening, after performing daily routine, without drinking or eating anything, at such a place where there was enough of pure air and light. The names of some of the Asanas are as follows:
Siddhasana, Sirshasana, Padmasana, Janusirasana, Padangushthasana, Baddha-Padmasana, Mayurasana, Namaskarasana, Urdhva,-namaskarasana, Hasta-padaEka-pada-prasarasana, Dvipada-Prasarasana, Bhudharasana, Sashtanga-pranipatasana, Bhujangasana, Virasana, Lagudasana, Goduhasana, etc. A great development in psychology was made by the people well-versed in the art and it would take thousands of years for the modern science to reach it.
sana,
(25) "RASAYANA" Chemistry:-Various valuable metals were prepared by compounding herbs in accordance with this art. To produce a thing different in colour, form, quality, nature and atoms from two different things