7/29/2019 Neti - 09 - Essence of Yoga

1/1

Karma Yoga prepares the mind for the reception of light and knowledge. It expands theheart and breaks all barriers that stand in the way of oneness or unity. Karma Yoga is an effective

Sadhana for Chitta Suddhi or purity of heart. Therefore, do selfless service constantly.

HATHA YOGA

Hatha Yoga relates to the restraint of breath (Pranayama), Asanas, Bandhas and Mudras.

Ha and tha mean the union of the sun and the moon, union of Prana and Apana Vayus. Hatha

means any tenacious practice till the object or end is achieved. Trataka, standing on one leg, (a kind

of Tapas) and similar poses are all Hatha Yoga practices. Hatha Yoga is inseparable from Raja

Yoga. Raja Yoga begins where Hatha Yoga ends. Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga are interdependent.

Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga are the necessary counterparts of each other. No one can become aperfect Yogi without a knowledge and practice of both the Yogas. Hatha Yoga prepares the student

to take up Raja Yoga.

A Hatha Yogi starts his Sadhana with body and Prana; a Raja Yogi starts his Sadhana with

his mind; a Jnana Yogi starts his Sadhana with Buddhi or intellect and will.

A Hatha Yogi gets Siddhis (psychic powers) by uniting Prana and Apana and by taking the

united Prana-Apana through the six Chakras (centres of spiritual energy) to Sahasrara at the crown

of the head. A Raja Yogi gets Siddhis by Samyama, i.e., combined practice of Dharana, Dhyana and

Samadhi at one time. A Jnana Yogi exhibits Siddhis through pure will or Sat-Sankalpa. A Bhakta

gets Siddhis through self-surrender and the consequent descent of grace. Kriyas, viz., Neti, Dhauti,Nauli, Basti, Tratak and Kapalabhati belong to Hatha Yoga. All need not practise these Kriyas.

Those who have got much phlegm in the body should practise these Kriyas. Learn these under an

expert Hatha Yogi. Hatha Yoga is not the goal. It is only a means to an end. Take to Raja Yoga after

possessing good health.

Do Asana, Kumbhaka, Mudra and shake the Kundalini. Then take it to Sahasrara through

Chakras in the Sushumna. O children of light! Will you drink not, will you drink not, the nectar of

immortality?

Brother! Attain good health. Without health how can you live? Without health, how can you

earn? Without health how can you get success in Yoga or any undertaking? Possess wonderfulhealth through the practice of Hatha Yoga. Drink the nectar in Sahasrara and live in the immortal

abode of Siva.

YOGA ASANAS

Health is wealth. Health is indeed a covetable possession. Good health is a valuable asset to

one and all. It can be achieved by the regular practice of Yoga Asanas.

The practice of Asanas controls the emotions, produces mental peace, distributes Prana

evenly throughout the body and different systems, helps in maintaining healthy functioning of the

3

YOGA