Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: The Path to Spiritual Enlightenment
Last Updated on February 1, 2023
The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Indian text that is considered to be one of the most important spiritual works in Hinduism. The Gita is a dialogue between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna, and it offers a comprehensive guide to the principles and practices of yoga.
In the Bhagavad Gita, the term “yoga” refers to a spiritual discipline that involves controlling the mind and senses, as well as physical practices, in order to attain a state of spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine.
The ultimate goal of yoga, as described in the Gita, is to transcend the ego and the limitations of the physical body, and to realize one’s true nature as a soul that is eternal, infinite, and inseparable from the universal consciousness.
The practice of yoga is seen as a means of achieving this ultimate goal, and it is considered to be a vital part of the spiritual path outlined in the Gita.
Detachment from the sense objects is a necessity, according to Krishna, regardless of the path or practise that one takes. The only real distinction is how much one chooses to engage with the world on the outside.
The Process Of Yoga As Described In The Gita
The yoga Krishna teaches Arjuna in the fourth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is the same yoga he taught Vivasan, the sun deity.
For those who are completely absorbed in God-consciousness, the oblation is Brahman, the ladle with which it is offered is Brahman, the act of offering is Brahman, and the sacrificial fire is also Brahman. Such persons, who view everything as God, easily attain Him.
Bhagavad Gita 4.24
Here we see how yoga links together the realms of light, primal origins, acoustic transmission, and the eternal. It’s described as being as important and trustworthy to life on Earth as the sun itself.
In the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna emphasises that both the contemplative and active practises of yoga begin with learning how to govern the mind, and to on how one performs meditations in order to release the mind from the sensory pleasures.
The yogis who have conquered the mind rise above the dualities of cold and heat, joy and sorrow, and honor and dishonor. Such yogis remain peaceful and steadfast in their devotion to God.
Bhagavad gita 6.7
The yogi should solely meditate for the sake of his own enlightenment, without any other motivation.
To practice Yog, one should make an āsan (seat) in a sanctified place, by placing Kuśh grass, deer skin, and a cloth, one over the other.
BHagavad gita 6.12-13-14
The āsan should be neither too high nor too low. Seated firmly on it, the yogi should strive to purify the mind by focusing it in meditation with one pointed concentration, controlling all thoughts and activities. He must hold the body, neck, and head firmly in a straight line, and gaze at the tip of the nose, without allowing the eyes to wander.
Thus, with a serene, fearless, and unwavering mind, and staunch in the vow of celibacy, the vigilant yogi should meditate on Me, having Me alone as the supreme goal.
What Is the Importance of Yoga in Bhagavad Gita?
The Gita teaches that through the practice of yoga, one can develop the mental clarity, discipline, and inner peace that are necessary for spiritual growth and realization. The practice of yoga is also seen as a way of controlling the mind and senses, and of transcending the ego and the limitations of the physical body.
Hence it is important that one should practice deep meditations and focus our mind on the higher self no matter if you believe in God or not, just believe in the higher self.
Bhagavad Gita teaches that the goals of Yoga are threefold: to cleanse our deeds, to master our thoughts and emotions, and to establish a spiritual connection with the Supreme.
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