Essay name: Yogatattva Upanishad (translation and study)
Author:
Sujata Jena
Affiliation: Utkal University / Department of Sanskrit
This study explores the philosophical and yogic concepts within the Yogatattva Upanishad—an ancient Sanskrit text wihchi s part of the Vedic literature that delves into the essence of yoga and meditation, linking mental control to spiritual enlightenment. The essay further critiques modern yoga's focus on physical exercises, advocating for its deeper philosophical and spiritual roots.
Chapter 3 - Yoga Philosophy in Yogatattva Upanisad
12 (of 60)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
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Patañjali in his yogasūtra defines yoga as:- The cessation of the
function of mind. Further on this sūtra, the famous commentator Vyāsa
gives that yoga is nothing but samādhi. The Bha. Gī. Defines yoga as:-
the state of balancing act.
10 Hence yoga sāstras are for the union of individual self and the
supreme self. For this there are various doctrines in our system analysis.
There by we have got a tremendous bolde of literature connecting the
important subject called yoga.
The two systems of intergal yoga practice, that of the Buddha and
that of patañjali are culminations of yoga end eavours, trends and
traditions stretching from the remote past and pursued for centuries
outside the official stream of the Brahmanic culture. But when they
reached their peaks, they became very conspicious and consequently,
visible to all, including ordinary people whose religious loyality became
diverted from Brahmaṇs to yogīs and wondering ascetics.
As a result, in the subsequent movement of Brahmaṇic revivalism.
Some of the yogic methodical principals and guidelines to spiritual life as
well as aim of yoga direct experience of the ultimate reality became
generally accepted as the higher state of religious life open to anybody
who wanted to tread such a path.
The best codification of the popularized yoga path at the end of
which lies union with god is Bhagavad Gītā. The Bhagavad Gītā has
implemented the seed of yoga, over many centuries, in the minds hearts of
vast multitudes that otherwise would not leave been touched by it. These
multitudes no doubt grasped the message of yoga.
yogacittavṛtiniodhah. P.Y.S.I- I.2
. samatva� yoga ucyate. Bha. Gi. - II.48
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