Ashtang Yoga Ek Parichay - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ashtang Yoga: Ek Parichay" by Arun Joshi, based on the provided pages:

The book "Ashtang Yoga: Ek Parichay" (Ashtang Yoga: An Introduction) by Prof. Arun Joshi aims to provide accurate information about Yoga, which was once considered a secret knowledge confined to gurus and disciples but is now widely discussed both in India and abroad.

The author clarifies that Yoga is not merely physical exercises to strengthen the body or the practice of hypnotism for control. While such experiences might occur in the initial stages of practice, they are just indicators of the beginning. True Yoga, the text explains, leads to upliftment (ऊर्ध्वकरण) and destruction of ignorance (अज्ञान का नाश), leading to union with the eternal principle, Brahman (ब्रह्म). This is captured in the phrase "युज्यते असौ योग:" (that which unites is Yoga).

The book emphasizes that the practice of Ashtang Yoga (Eight Limbs of Yoga) is crucial for achieving success in other forms of Yoga, such as Gyan Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge), Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action), or Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion). The universality of Ashtang Yoga is highlighted, stating that no sect, country, or time period is a hindrance to its practice.

The text attributes the clear depiction of Ashtang Yoga to Maharishi Patanjali, who wrote 30 sutras on the subject in his Yoga Sutras. Patanjali is also credited with creating the grammar Shastra for linguistic purity and Ayurveda for bodily well-being. His era is estimated to be the 4th century BCE.

The eight limbs of Yoga, as described in detail, are:

Yama (यम): The first limb, comprising five great vows:
- Ahimsa (अहिंसा): Non-violence
- Satya (सत्य): Truthfulness
- Asteya (अस्तेय): Non-stealing
- Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य): Celibacy/Chastity (understood in a broader spiritual sense of control over senses and mind)
- Aparigraha (अपरिग्रह): Non-possessiveness/Non-greed These vows are considered universal (सार्वभौम) and are said to lead to a person becoming free from enmity, truthful, possessing all wealth (spiritual), potent (virile), and knowledgeable of past lives.
Niyama (नियम): The second limb, consisting of five observances:
- Shaucha (शौच): Purity (both internal and external) – leads to clarity of intellect and concentration.
- Santosha (संतोष): Contentment – brings secondary happiness.
- Tapas (तप): Austerity/Penance – leads to mastery of the body and senses.
- Swadhyaya (स्वाध्याय): Self-study/Study of scriptures – facilitates the vision of the chosen deity.
- Ishvara Pranidhana (ईश्वर प्रणिधान): Surrender to the Divine/Devotion to God – aids in achieving the state of Samadhi.
Asana (आसन): The third limb. It is defined as a posture in which the body remains stable and the mind experiences happiness. Asana Siddhi (perfection in posture) leads to the destruction of Tamas and Rajas gunas and the rise of Sattva guna.
Pranayama (प्राणायाम): The fourth limb, involving various techniques like Puraka (inhalation), Rechaka (exhalation), and Kumbhaka (retention). This limb helps to eradicate the defects of the senses.
Pratyahara (प्रत्याहार): The fifth limb. This involves the withdrawal of the senses inwards, causing the mind to follow its own nature. Through this limb, a Yogi becomes Jitendriya (master of his senses).
Dharana (धारणा): The sixth limb. Dharana aids in stabilizing the mind and is understood as the binding of the mind.
Dhyana (ध्यान): The seventh limb, described as the concentration of mental modifications.
Samadhi (समाधि): The eighth and final limb. This state of inner luminosity (अन्तःप्रकाश रूप) allows for the experience of the object of meditation (ध्येय का स्फुरण).

The text concludes by stating that the practice of Ashtang Yoga leads to the destruction of mental impurities, the experience of knowledge, the illumination of the heart, and the attainment and continuous growth of Samyak Gyana (Right Knowledge). This path of Ashtang Yoga is also known as Rajyoga (Royal Yoga), and those who follow it are successful in progressing in their spiritual life.