Yog Aur Man

This document, titled "योग और मन" (Yoga and Mind) by Sureshmuni Shastri, from the Shri Pushkarmuni Abhinandan Granth, explores the profound connection between yoga and the human mind from a Jain perspective.

The central argument is that "मन ही मनुष्य है" (Mind is the man). The author emphasizes that a person's existence and identity are rooted in their mind. The mind is the creator, the orchestrator of life, and the basis of human potential and downfall. The text posits that the mind is a complex puzzle, a source of both glory and ruin, a blessing and a curse, life and death, pleasure and pain.

The text then establishes yoga as the solution to the mind's complexities. Yoga and the mind are presented as complementary; yoga's foundation is the mind, and yoga provides the solution for the mind. The core principle of yoga, as defined by Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, is "योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः" (Yoga is the cessation of fluctuations of the mind). It is the mind's restlessness and instability that lead to suffering, anxiety, and stress. Yoga, through restraint and control, purifies the mind, making it healthy, beautiful, stable, and peaceful.

A key concept introduced is the dual nature of the mind's flow, described as "उभयवाही" (flowing in both directions) – both downward (अधोवाही) and upward (ऊर्ध्ववाही). When the mind flows downwards, it is drawn to worldly pleasures, material desires, fame, and honor, leading to a deviation from life's true purpose and a fall into suffering and even lower realms. Conversely, when the mind's energy flows upward, directed towards the soul, the divine, liberation, self-control, detachment, and meditation, it leads to happiness, spiritual progress, and ultimate freedom. Yoga's role is to redirect this downward flow to an upward, inner direction.

The text highlights that the current state of the human mind, being agitated, unstable, and attached to desires, cannot embark on the inner journey of spiritual practice. Yoga is presented as a transformative process that creates a "new mind." This transformation is achieved through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga (eight limbs: Yam, Niyam, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi), which cultivates spiritual feeling, equanimity, and eradicates impurities. This process is described as a complete "कायाकल्प" (rejuvenation) of the mind, similar to how a physical body is renewed.

The ultimate goal of this journey is "दुःख से मुक्ति" (liberation from suffering), which is the highest pursuit of human life. Suffering arises from an attached, desire-filled, and restless mind. The realization of the pervasiveness of suffering is the catalyst for seeking a solution, and yoga provides that path.

The text further elaborates on the methods for mind control (मनोनिरोध):

• Abhyasa (Practice): Continuous, dedicated effort towards mental stability. The mind's inherent nature is stability, and its restlessness is a temporary state caused by external influences.
• Vairagya (Dispassion/Detachment): The cessation of attachment and desire for worldly objects. Dispassion calms the mind and leads to stability.

Gyana (Knowledge) is identified as a superior means for mind control from both Jain and Vedic perspectives. In the Jain context, this knowledge refers to the absolute realization of the self ("स्व" का आत्यन्तिक बोध), the profound understanding of one's true existence. This self-knowledge, when deeply experienced, naturally leads to detachment from external objects.

Dhyana (Meditation) is considered the most powerful tool for mind control. Meditation involves shifting consciousness from external thoughts ("पर") to the inner self ("स्व"). The mind's tendency to dwell on multiple thoughts ("अनेकचित्तता") leads to its instability. Meditation brings about "एकचित्तता" (one-pointedness) by focusing the mind's attention on a single object or idea, thereby stilling the mental fluctuations.

The ultimate outcome of this mental control through yoga is the realization of the self-soul ("आत्मस्वरूप की उपलब्धि"). As the mind's tendencies are gradually restrained and turned inward, the individual moves closer to their true essence. The state of a mind free from mental fluctuations, achieved through yoga, allows for self-realization, leading to liberation from suffering and the attainment of eternal peace and bliss.

In essence, the text advocates for yoga as a comprehensive path to transform the mind from a source of suffering and entanglement to an instrument of liberation and self-realization, aligning with the core principles of Jain philosophy.