Jain Journal 1968 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 85

YOGASASTRA
Hemacandra's Yogasastra consists of 12 prakäsas comprising 1014 verses Yoga is described as the thing that leads to liberation and it consists of 'three jewels -Right Attitude, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct The first three prakātas are devoted to Jaina ethics In the fourth prakāša, the soul is identified with the 'three jewels' and then follows the description of yoga including asanas which embodies the substance of the yoga-system of Patanjali The fifth describes the control of breath and the acquisition of ocult powers The rest of the prakāšas are devoted to sundry topics connected with yoga
The commentary on the first four prakāšas is prolix, in the style of Jaina sermons, introducing anecdotes, stories, etc, while on the remaining prakātas, it is brief Probably the commentary is not the work of Hemacandra himself but of one of his pupils The
Yogasästra was prepared towards the close of his life It was written about 1160 A D at the request of Kumarapala