Happiness & Bhakti Yoga
YOGACHARYA KUNDAN KUMAR
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To attain jitendriyata is to achieve full control over one's senses. This leads to what is called God-realisation. In this controlled state, all pain and suffering cease permanently . The shortest and most suitable path ordained in this Kali Yuga is bhakti yoga. This form of yoga, and all others, come under astanga yoga, or the eight-fold yoga, which comprises the following:1 Yama, or ahimsa, satya asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha, meaning non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continuous meditation or remembrance by salutation to God and non-accumulation of nonessential things.
2 Niyama, or sauch, santosh tapas, swadhyaya and ishwara pranidhana, meaning cleanliness, both internal as well as external, contentment, rightful penance, self-study and selfsurrender to God.
3 Asana, or body postures in the yogic tradition.
4 Pranayama, or control of prana.
5 Pratyahara, or withdrawal of sense organs within.
6 Dharana, or contemplation.
7 Dhyana, or meditation.
8 Samadhi, or total union with God.
A practical thing to opt for is a practice of the eight-fold yoga with a special stress on bhakti yoga. Bhakti yoga acquires greater potency when it combines with some kriyas of astanga yoga like trataka neti and its various forms, according to the needs of the practitioner.However, all yogic kriyas should be learnt and performed under competent guidance to avoid unpleasant results.
2 Niyama, or sauch, santosh tapas, swadhyaya and ishwara pranidhana, meaning cleanliness, both internal as well as external, contentment, rightful penance, self-study and selfsurrender to God.
3 Asana, or body postures in the yogic tradition.
4 Pranayama, or control of prana.
5 Pratyahara, or withdrawal of sense organs within.
6 Dharana, or contemplation.
7 Dhyana, or meditation.
8 Samadhi, or total union with God.
A practical thing to opt for is a practice of the eight-fold yoga with a special stress on bhakti yoga. Bhakti yoga acquires greater potency when it combines with some kriyas of astanga yoga like trataka neti and its various forms, according to the needs of the practitioner.However, all yogic kriyas should be learnt and performed under competent guidance to avoid unpleasant results.
