Essence and Substance of Yoga

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: S M Jain

Page 8

Yoga is defined similarly in Gita also
“योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ।”
"Doing any activity (Karma) skillfully is yoga". It is not sufficient to undertake any activity cautiously and with awareness only but it is also necessary to learn the skill of the work undertaken e.g. one must learn the technique of cooking before doing it. The inclusion of word "a" (skill) is an important contribution of Gita in defining "Yoga".
Following quotes also convey the same connotation of yoga and there is only difference in phraseology and not intent
"तह कुसलपवित्तीय मोक्खेण उ जोयणाओ ति । । 22 ।। "
- Haribhadra Suri's Yoga Satak
"All proper and skillful conduct is yoga."
"अत्वरापूर्वकं सर्व गमनं क्रत्येमेचवा | 13 / 51 | "
- Haribhadra Suri's Yogdrishtisamuchaya
"All activities, movements be undertaken without haste and with full attentiveness."
"नृजन्मनः फलं कौश्चत्पुरुषार्थं प्रकीर्तितः । 13 / 3 || M
Shubhchandracharya's Jnanarnava
"Those born as humans must make appropriate efforts to fulfil the objective."
“मनस्तनुक्चः कर्म योगः । । 12/1 । । ”
- Shubhchandracharya's Jnanarnava
"The cautious activities of mind, speech and body constitute yoga." “आयतयोग माय सोहिए। 12/4/10911
- Acharanga Sutra
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