Yoga and the Society

Author(s): R V Ranade
Publisher: Z_Pushkarmuni_Abhinandan_Granth_012012.pdf

Page 6

Yoga and the Society PE . A time. Patanjali narrates the technique of Asana in three sutras. (1) Asana should be steady and comfortable. (2) This steadiness can be mastered by relaxation of effort, and meditation. (3) Attaining perfection in the practice of Asana brings resistance to adverse conditions in the environment. The practice of these postures makes the body healthy, and then we can easily withstand the fatigue and strain of life. It also gives fitness for the practice of Pranayama, and helps in the development of will-power. Praniyama is the regulation of breath or life-force. The Prana or the life-force is the link between matter and energy on one hand, and mind and consciousness on the other. It is a vital force, a highly specialised kind of composite energy with material basis which is entirely different from the other kinds of energies working in the body. This energy is controlled to the advantage of the individual during Pranayama. It is useful for maintaining good health and achieving concentration of mind, thus serving as an important basis for the preparation of Samadhi. Pratyahara means abstraction. When we are relaxed, we find that the mental images which are present and changing constantly are of three types(1) Ever-changing impressions produced by the outer world through the impacts on the sense-organs. (2) Memories of past experiences in the mind, (3) Mental impressions connected with anticipations of the future. In Pratyahara, we completely eliminate the vibrations of the impacts on the sense-organs coming from outside. The other two types of mental images are retained and they are mastered through Dharana and Dhyana. Thus, this facet of Yoga teaches us the control of senses by mind, or withdrawal of mind from worldly attachments. This is useful for achieving that concentration of mind which helps us to get a better performance in any field of everyday life. The detachment of mind relieves us of all the attractions and sorrows in this world. In short, the five facets under the Bahirariga Yoga eliminate, one by one, different sources of disturbances to the mind. Yama and Niyama correct the moral defects, Asana eliminates the disturbances arising in the physical body, Pranayama removes all the irregularities in the flow of vital forces, and Pratyahara eliminates the sources of disturbance coming through the senseorgans. The eight facets of Yoga are usually considered as sequential stages through which one can achieve eternal peace. However, some experts of Yoga feel that these can be practised and mastered independent of each other. There is no doubt that the sequence is important and useful, especially for a common man who desires to achieve perfection by reaching the stage of Samadhi. To the beginner, the Bahirargayoga is more simple to understand and practice, as it is directly concerned with every-day life. It is the desire of all those who love and preach Yoga, that more and more people are attracted to this science and philosophy. It is more convenient to introduce the people to A sana and Pranayama, which show their favourable effects on mental and physical health, and prepare a basis for further study. Once a person appreciates the value of some of the facets of Yoga, he feels like going deeper into the study and practice of other facets. Gradually, the benefits of this study are revealed to him through his own experiences. It is not expected that every person in the society becomes a sage or a Yogi. Keeping this in mind, I have not touched upon the three facets included under the Antararigayoga, viz., Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. I feel that their consideration is beyond the scope of the present discussion. The practice of Yoga will surely help to build up individuals with healthy mind and body. Such individuals will form a homogeneous society. The simple rules of Yoga should be propogated to the new generations, in the home, at the school and in the society. This will break the disharmony among various people and their different generations, and bring peace and progress to the world. ***