Meaning And Definition of Yoga

What does yoga mean?

It is better to first understand the literal meaning of any subject or topic so
that the basic understanding of the subject is made clear, so as yoga. The
literal meaning of yoga is hidden in its Sanskrit root yuj. The word yoga is
derived from the Sanskrit root yuj which has three meanings:
 Yujir yoge: meaning to join
The first meaning of yoga goes with the understanding of joining the
individual consciousness jivatma with the ultimate
consciousness paramatma.
According to highest conception of Indian philosophy of which yoga is an
integral part, jivatma is a component or partial expression of the Supreme
Soul or Paramatma. Although two are the same and indivisible both are
separated subjectively and the jivatma undergoes the evolutionary cycle in
the manifested universe, to become united again with Him. So the discipline
through which the union is attained is yoga.
 Yuja samadhou: meaning Samadhi
The second meaning describes yoga as Samadhi itself. Maharishi Vyasa has
defined yoga as Samadhi in Vyasa bhashya. Samadhi is a state where
nothing exists except awareness. Samadhi is explained in detail in a different
section ‘samdhi’.

 Yuja samyamne: meaning to control

The third meaning considers yoga is to have control. Control of what? Control
of senses. It describes yoga as to have control (Sanyam) over senses.

From the above explanation it is clear that yoga is not merely about physical
movements and it not only includes meditation and other technique but it is
the path which leads us towards the truth, the ultimate reality. The different
definitions of yoga gives a better understanding of what yoga is? And what it
deals with.

Definitions of yoga:
There are many scriptures which define yoga in various manner. One of
those scriptures is ‘Paatanjal Yogasutra’, the authorship of which belongs
to Maharishi Patanjali. Patanjali defines yoga in his text as:
Yogas citta-vritti-nirodhah
–
Yogsutra (1/2)
Yoga is the inhibition of modification of mind.
Here the word Chitta doesn’t literally means the mind but in general sense it
is considered as mind. Chitta is fundamentally of the nature or consciousness
which is immaterial but affected by matter. In fact, it may be called a product
of both, consciousness and matter, the presence of the both being necessary
for its functioning. It is like an intangible screen which enables the light of
consciousness to be projected in the manifested world. But the real secret of
its essential nature lies buried in the origin of the manifested universe and
can be known only on attaining enlightenment.

The word Vritti is derived from the Sanskrit root Vrit which means ‘to exist’.
So vrtti is a way of existing. In considering the ways in which a thing exists
we may consider its modifications, states, activities or its functions. So vrttis
are modification of chitta or mind. Sage Patanjali has explained five vrttis,
the fundamental states or types of modifications in which the mind can exist.
So the sutra defines yoga as the discipline through which modifications of
mind are inhibited.

Shrimadbhagavadgita:
Another important scripture which deals with the yoga is
Shrimadbhagavdgita. Bhagavdgita presents a very vast explanation on yoga.
In fact the whole of the Geeta deals with the yoga. Bahgavadgeeta is
basically the talk between of Lord Krishna to his disciple, also a friend Arjuna
in between the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

When Arjuna was distracted from his Dharma Lord Krishna taught him about
what Dharma actually is? And he taught him about Jnanyoga, Karmayoga,
Bhaktiyoga and Rajayoga to make Arjuna to understand about Dharma.

Yoga as skill in action:

In his teachings Lord Shri Krishna defines yoga as:

Yogah karmasu kaushalam

– Bhagavadgeeta
(2/50)

Yoga is skill in action.

Actions done with expectation of its reward bring bondage. If the
action is done without any thirst for reward, one get purification of heart and
ultimately knowledge of the Self. In Geeta Lord Krishna very well that how we
can practice yoga while performing action. Our actions i.e. karma can also be
done in yogic way. Which is called Karmayoga.
In today’s scenario the Karmayoga is the best way of practicing yoga
because when people are advised to practice yogasana and pranyamas etc
the only reason they have to give is lack of time. Ultimately yoga is practiced
to give happiness and satisfaction then why should not we get this by doing
our routine work?
Lord Krishna says that skill in action is also yoga. If we observe when we help
someone for any reason then it gives us happiness that cannot be explained
we feel a sort of satisfaction. But when we are said or ordered to get some
work done then after doing that we do not feel that kind of satisfaction which
we feel while serving others because there is no expectation or thought of
reward or of praise in serving i.e. karmayoga.

Whatever kind of work we are doing to earn our livelihood we must do that
with a sense of service. So that we maintain promptness in our work because
when we think it is a service then a sense of responsibility develops within us
towards society and our egocentric attitude slowly starts to diminish thereby
developing purity inside which leads us to the ultimate reality.

As discussed earlier yoga is not a goal in itself rather it is a medium to

achieve the goal.

What is that goal of yoga?

The goal is to become one with the Almighty.

When it is possible to realize that reality?

It is when we get free from bondages.

Why bondages occur?

They occur because of our karma. Because our karmas create sankaras
(impressions) in our

chitta we get bonded with the evolutionary cycle of the world.

Then how we can get rid of these sanskaras?

It is possible only through karmayoga.

Because we are not expecting any reward for karma, we perform karma as
our duty and not to get any reward, they will not create any sankaras. Which
leads us slowly to the ultimate reality.

Yoga as stability of mind:

Lord Shri Krishna says:
Samatvam yoga uchyate
– Bhagavdgeeta
(2/48)
Evenness of mind is called yoga.
Here Lord Krishna tell Arjuna to perform action with the evenness of mind
without bothering about victory and defeat, and this evenness of mind is
nothing but yoga. And that is what all yoga is about. It is nothing but to
concentrate the mind having control over all your senses.
The capacity to take decisions in critical situations is only possible with the
evenness of mind. When the mind is disturbed then naturally one will not
able to concentrate. It is not only about taking decisions, rather it is all about
to get the ability to analyze every situation in every possible way, it is to stay
firm with your decision even in drastic situations, to be able to know what is
right and what is wrong. The ‘samatva’ state of mind helps you to know or
realize what your ‘Dharma’ (righteous duty) should be in a particular
situation. This is what the problem Arjuna was suffering with in the middle of
the battlefield.

Seeing his own elders, his gurus, his brothers in front of him who are ready to
fight with him Arjuna get distracted from his Dharma because he drops his
bow as he don’t wanted to kill his own dear one’s. This only behavior or
emotional state of Arjuna explains the results of unstable mind. An unstable
mind cannot judge right and wrong. With an unstable mind one cannot
analyze a situation thoroughly and act accordingly.

That is the reason Lord Krishna explain Arjuna about the ‘samatva bhaava’.
Lord Krishna made Arjuna to understand his duty being a ‘Kshatriya’
(warrior). He advices Arjuna to fight, not to defeat or to kill them, but it is his
duty (Dharma) fight with them.

This was not only the reason why Lord Krishna explains all about this. With
the ‘samatva bhaava’ one can understand about his duties but why this is
regarded as yoga. As explained before yoga is the way to salvation.

How salvation is attained?

When sanskaras of karmas or actions are nullified.

How the sanskaras can be nullified?

It can be done through karma only.

Then what kind of karma we should do to attain this?

Karmas should be performed considering them as our duty and not to get
any reward.

How it is possible to perform karma in that manner?

It is possible with the evenness of mind.

When the karmas are done with the equanimity of mind then those karmas
do not create any sanskaras which is the path to the salvation. At grosser
level is the path to lead a happy and satisfied life.

This whole process can be understood in the following manner: