?r?bhagav?n, who is praised as Yoge?vara, God of Yoga, says in Bhagavad Gita:
tapasvibhyodhiko yog? jñ?nibhyopi mato dhika?
karmibhya?c?dhiko yog? tasm?dyog? bhav?rjuna (Ch VI – Sloka 46)
[O Arjuna, the Y?gi is thought to be superior to those who blindly restrict
themselves and even superior to men-of-academic-knowledge; he is also superior
to men-of-benefit-oriented-action; therefore take all the efforts to be a Y?gi with
proper jñ?nam.]
?r?bhagav?n invites all to become yogi. A yogi is the one who has the knowledge
of Karma and knowledge of ?tma. As ?r?bhagav?n says in another occasion:
tasm?d ajñ?nasambh?ta? h?tstha? jñ?n?sin?tmana?
chittvaina? sa??aya? yogam ?ti??hotti??ha bh?rata (Ch IV – Sloka 42)
[Therefore, O Bh?rata, with the sword of Jñ?nam, cut asunder the doubt regarding
?tma, born of ignorance, residing in your heart, take refuge in Yoga and arise.]
Finally, Yoga is nothing but doubtless Jñ?nam about ?tma. The following methods
are used in Bhagavad Gita for developing that Jñ?nam in a yogi.
1. Karmayoga – Knowledge about the right action.
2. Dhyanayoga – Pure and focussed mind where awareness about ?tma arises.
3. Jñ?nayoga – Knowledge about ?tma, without doubt or confusion.
As a result of having the clear awareness about ?tma, separated from the
body-mind unit, the yogi is liberated from unhappiness, for good. This permanent
liberation from unhappiness is the result of yogic practices. This is Mok?a.
On this International Day of Yoga, let me pray for the permanent liberation for
all..!
=====================
