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260 Jaina Perspective in Philosophy and Religion
do abound in the mention of these concepts. There might be differences of opinion regarding the nature or number of the ultimate reality but there is a remarkable unanimity regarding the acceptance of yogic sadhana for its realization. All the Vedic systems including the Nyaya1-Vaiseşṣika2, Samkhyas, Yoga and Vedanta5 accept the utility and relevance of Yoga in their respective systems. Purva-mïmamsä is the only exception which does not ever refer to Yoga. It is interested in ritualistic action. The Gita and the Mahabharata, the Bhagavat, the Yoga-vasiṣṭha" and the important works on Tantra10 including many works of Hatha-yoga accept the place and importance of Yoga. Many medieval saints and scholars like Jñanadeva11, Ambeya12, Kabira13 etc. have discussed the subject of Yoga with great seriousness.
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Together with its tradition, the term Yoga has a chequered history. In the Rg-veda, it is used in the sense of 'union', later 1. Nyaya-sūtra of Gotama, I. 1. 1, IV. 2. 38, IV. 2. 42, IV. 2. 46.
2. Vaise şika-sutra of Kanāda, I. 1. 4, VI. 2. 2, VI. 2. 8. 3. Sankhya-sūtra of Kapila, I. 1, III. 30-34.
4. Yoga-sutra of Patañjali, IV. 33.
5. Brahma-sutra of Badarāyaṇa, 3rd chapter is known as Sadhana Pada.
6. The first six chapters deal with Karma-yoga, middle six to the Bhakti-yoga and the last six deal with Jñana-yoga. 7. Mahabharata, Santi Parva, 193, 217, 246, 254 chaps. Anusasana Parva, 36, 246 etc.
8. Śrīmad-Bhagavat-Mahāpurāņa, Skandha III, Ch. 28; XI. 15, 19, 20 etc.
9. Yoga-vasistha, chapters on Vairagya, Mumuk şu-Vyabhara, Utapatti, Sthiti, Upasana and Nirvana.
10. Mahanirvana Tantra, 3rd chap.
11. Jñaneswari, 6th chapter.
12. Siddhanta-samhita of the Suhiroba Ambiya. 13. 'Bijaka' is an important treatise on Yoga & mysticism.
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