Yoga
Divine Words of wisdom by Sathya Sai Baba - On Yoga
1. The Essence of Patanjali Yoga is Unity in Thought, Word and Deed
Description
To some, the worldly appears to be good. For how long? It is only temporary. This is called happiness (santhosham). What is the meaning? Some…thosham – it’s a fractional happiness or a gift. You feel hungry, you go to the canteen; you ate two chapatis; hunger is appeased but for how long? It is only for two hours. In the third hour, again you feel hungry. Therefore that which confers temporary happiness is called Sukham. But that which confers divine happiness (Daivanandam) is called Bliss (Anandam). Just enquire the difference between happiness and bliss. This bliss comes out of the heart; happiness comes out of the head. Head carries the responsibility; but heart has right. For every man, head and heart are important. Think good; you then reflect upon it. Then put it into action with hands what you thought. Therefore, the heart, head and hand together assume the ‘3H’ form. In Patanjali Yoga it is said that we should exercise control over the senses and also achieve unity of the senses. Unity…unity…unity… That’s why it is said – the proper study of mankind is man. What is this mankind? It’s the harmony of three – heart, word and action. Therefore, out of this unity we will develop purity; through purity we will step into Divinity. The moment we step into Divinity, the enmity will be set away. Therefore the Patanjali Yoga sutra confers the Divinity. So, to the extent possible, the young students – boys and girls, in times of anger or difficulties, they should be able to tolerate and forbear, face it boldly and earn the patience to move forward. In the beginning stage, you may find it a bit difficult. As you practice, gradually it becomes a habit. Walking, talking, reading, writing, eating… everything comes out of practice. Everything is accomplished only by practice which brought us to this level. Do just-born babies start run immediately? No. First the child gets up, crawls, stands up, falls, again gets up and eventually starts walking. Therefore, we have to develop such practices gradually. Therefore, this yoga is not meant only for rishis, yogis and renunciants but it is essential for every human being with the body.
2. There Cannot be a Healthy Body Without a Mind Filled With Sacred Thoughts
Description
Mind is responsible for both bondage and liberation. We must entertain only those thoughts that are deserving. That is why in Yoga there are two aspects – Yama and Niyama. Yama refers to the control of the inner and outer senses. That’s not all, you have to ensure only the good is acquired. Such regulations go with it (yoga). Therefore, yoga is completely based upon sankalpas (thoughts). So we must transform them to good sankalpas. What type of sankalpas? Thoughts of the Divine alone are eternal and pure.
3. Mere Practice of Asana Cannot be Called Yoga
Description
Patanjali dedicated his life for the sake of yoga. Not only this. He propagated that human life is based upon health and that without health it cannot exist; that for all activities body is most essential and for the body discipline is most essential. And that the most important role of yoga is to impart this discipline. Na Sreyo Niyamam Vina – There can be no welfare without discipline. There are some rules and disciplines for yoga too. Eating within limits and eating healthy is also essential. Food must also be tasty. But taste should not be all important either. We should also know the sacredness of the material. But man today is not taking into account these two factors. Eating whatever comes his way, man is completely ruining his health. Food is for the sustenance of the body and clothes are for protection from the cold. Food is for the maintenance of the body and not for your taste. Hunger is a disease, food is the medicine; thirst is a disease and water is the medicine. We want that this medicine should be very tasty. We should never give consideration to the taste when it comes to medicine. Relief from disease should alone be the goal. Similarly, today we give much importance to the taste of what we eat. We fail to recognise the true value of the food. Nowadays, foreigners following discipline in eating, have reduced eating spicy, salty and sour foods. The goal of Patanjali yoga is complete health and complete peace. As we are not able to practice such yoga these days, nerves become weak and the rate of blood circulation rises, causing more agitations in us. The reason for such agitations is essentially blood pressure. And this blood pressure is cause due to absence of rest. And this lack of rest is caused due to lack of sleep. Today, wherever you see in the world man is facing many agitations.
