What is YOGA?

The Sanskrit word, Yoga, comes from root YUJ – to bind/unite/connect together.

Spiritually, Yoga is the union of Atma/soul with Parmatma/Universal consciousness.

It is the binding of Mind, Body and Soul.

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As per Maharshi Patanjali, Yoga is cessation of fluctuations of mind.

Complete Stoppage of mental modifications is Yoga.

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः||1.2||

yogaḥ citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ ||1.2||

Patanjal Yoga Sutras

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As per Lord Krishna, in Bhagvad Gita,

योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय | सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ||2.48||

yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga uchyate ||2.48||

O Arjuna! Being Steadfast in Yoga, do your work and release all attachments. Yoga is equanimity of mind under all circumstances, good or bad.

But, when he speaks about karmas/actions, Lord Krishna says,

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते | तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् || 2.50||

buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛita-duṣhkṛite tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam||2.50||

The man of equanimity, who is born of wisdom releases himself from both good and bad in this life. Therefore, O Arjuna, strive for Nishkama karma with an equal mind. Yoga is skill in action/Kaushalam in karmas.

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As per Yoga Vashishtha,

मन:प्रशमन उपाय:योग इत्यभिधीयते |

(यो.व.3-9-32)

“Manah prashamanah upaya yoga ityabhidhiyate”.

Yoga is a skillful method to calm the mind.

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As per Lord Yama to Nachiketa in Katha-Upanishad,

तां योगमिति मन्यन्ते स्थिरामिन्द्रियधारणाम्‌। अप्रमत्तस्तदा भवति योगो हि प्रभवाप्ययौ ॥

Kathopanishad 2.6.11

tāṁ yogamiti manyante sthirāmindriyadhāraṇām | apramattastadā bhavati yogo hi prabhavāpyayau ||

That firm control of the senses(and contemplation of atman) is known as Yoga. Then the yogi becomes free from the vagaries of mind; for Yoga is a practice that can be acquired and lost(by inefficient control of mind)

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