Divinity of Yoga

Embodiments of love,

All the Vedas and Vedangas are sacred texts. The mind is a curtain. On one side of the curtain is man and on the other side, God. The cause on one side and the effect on the other. The cause is God. The entire universe has a relationship between cause and effect. The combination of the two is yoga. Yoga is derivative of the word, 'Yuj'. So yoga means combination and union. Since ancient times people did not know the meaning of the word yoga. If a person did penance and fasted on leaves, that is not yoga. In the science of Ayurveda, yoga is a combination of various leaves or herbs. Samyoga is combination.

In astrology, yoga is considered as the science of time and stars. The three rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi unite. Husband and wife together form a union. So the union of two beings or materials is yoga. Human life is one of combination and separation, just as waves rise from the ocean. Human life is like the ocean, full of troubles, problems and agitations. In the ocean of life, full of problems, the boat of the Lord's name can help one across. Patanjali's exposition of yoga was that yoga is the control of various senses and mind. Yoga means to unify the thought, word and action towards God. Through yoga, work is transformed into worship. Krishna said that doing all work with all excellences and skills is yoga. Living with the family, earning, physical exercise all is yoga. When we get a lottery ticket we say it is yoga. You do not have the deservedness. So it is not yoga. The whole world is yoga. As we do not understand the divinity of yoga, we end up in roga - diseases. Some people know what is right and wrong. Yet they go on their own way. This is because of ego, which is strong in him. Some are jealous of the other person's happiness. In times of jealousy, follow yoga. If one is bitten by a scorpion, be thankful you are not bitten by a snake. True yoga is thinking of good that happens and maintaining equanimity. Gita teaches yoga in many ways.

Think of Divinity which is vast and all pervasive and purify the heart. On the battlefield, Arjuna with all his knowledge and skills began arguing with Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, second chapter, up to eleven chapters it is full of arguments. Up till then, Krishna did not speak. Then when Arjuna finished, Krishna asked Arjuna whether he had exhausted all his doubts. Arjuna was silent. He finally surrendered and said, "I will follow your commands."

Krishna replied, "Now you are my devotee. Think of me alone, then only I will take care of you." In this Kali age, we say that we are devotees. Some say that they are devotees of Rama, Siva, Krishna and chant His Name. But did God accept or acknowledge that you are His devotee? Just as when you send a registered letter you should receive acknowledgment, God too should say that you are His devotee. You should get that reply from the conscience, because conscience is God. Conscience is "Chit" - "Awareness". Awareness is total understanding.

There are four types of yoga: Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Raja Yoga. The first is Karma Yoga. Directing all good work as God's work is Karma Yoga. You must pray with the full knowledge that God is everywhere. Ask Him, "Are you listening to my prayer. Are you seeing my misery?" So when we pray we find God's two lotus eyes. God will reply, "I am in you, around you, behind you. Not in front of you, but beside you." God guards you. You may have a bodyguard who can only walk beside you. God says He is behind you. When you look behind, He also moves (as you have turned you back and He also turns). This is delusion. You are not believing what I say. One word, one path you should follow. So in yoga of action, there is experience with God. There would be no anticipation of results. Karma yoga is purely selfless. One should accept any consequences of the action.

Once there was an old man. He performed nishkama karma (selfless service). He planted a mango tree with the feeling that many people could enjoy and partake of the fruit. His son-in-law asked him why he was struggling in the heat to plant it. The old man replied that the body is gifted for doing service and that was his goal. The old man then gave the son-in-law coconut water to drink. The son- in-law enjoyed it very much. The old man said, well he did not plant the coconut tree but his father had. So, at some time or other, someone else will enjoy the fruit. Actions that make others experience good in the society should be performed. This is yoga. Bhakti Yoga is the actions performed with total love. There is Godly feeling without any trace of selfishness. The purpose of devotion is to please God. God is bliss itself. He is not wanting in Bliss. We say 'Happy Birthday' to those who are unhappy. God is always happy, with the form of Bliss. God, who is bliss, is like a big tank. God's tank is full of love. If one puts poison in the tank, then you will get poisonous water. As is the feeling, so is the expression. God is pure. So with pure love make God happy. This is your duty and goal. Time is infinite. Heart should be broad. But we don't understand the greatness of the three and we go on the wrong path.

Develop pure love. In a plain glass you cannot see your face, but if it is tinted with mercury you can see your reflection. Similarly if you have love in the heart you can see your self. That leads to self-realization.

Beings are many but breath is one. There is no different respiration between Japanese, German or Indian breath. Wisdom is one without the second. Whether you are in India, Pakistan, Germany or Japan, all are watching the same sun. It is only seen at different times. Wisdom shines because of devotion. All rivers too merge in the ocean. They have no distinct name and form when they are in the ocean.

Once there was a rich man. He had plenty of factories, mansions, cars, etc. He had good sons who loved the father and who obeyed the father. When his end was approaching, they cried and said that they would be helpless without him. He picked up some strength through God's grace and said that they would be very comfortable with the inheritance as well as the insurance policies but he is alone and helpless. What is to happen to himself he did not know. Only at that time the name of God can save one. If such a teaching is given earlier, it is implanted on the heart. At the moment of the end of one's life, one should chant the name.

Once there was a new priest. He held a bell in one hand and aarthi plate in the other. He tried to ring the bell and offer the aarthi with the other hand at the same time, but the moment he rang the bell, the hand with aarthi stopped moving. So everything is practice. In the path of wisdom, everything is oneness. Study. Yoga is union, following God's command. Such an easy yoga is spoken of in confusing ways. Today man has infinite power but he goes in the wrong direction. Through silence, we can bring everything to limits, that is why, in ancient times, saints went to forests.

Take the example of the jasmine flower. It spreads its fragrance all over. Love of the noble souls too spread all over. When you hold a rose (whether it is in the right hand or left hand) it's fragrance spreads all over. This is the difference in yoga and roga. The incense too spreads its fragrance all over. The fire which is raging in the forest, burns all the trees and none are spared. It does not distinguish between the mango tree or the plain trees. Difficulties may come, but don't harm anyone. Pleasure and pain are always there, treat them alike. Vidya teaches to develop virtues like discrimination, devotion, duty, etc. That is Yoga Vidya. Students have to learn that. Learn this yoga. At birth we were not educated. Through practice we do all this. With determination proclaim, "I will." Life is a continuous flow. How deep and how far it goes no one can say. Such a flow merges into the ocean. This river of our life must have two beds and control. One side, steadfastness (samaya) and the other side, faith.

Out of steadfastness comes wisdom. If you are filled with doubts, you are ruined. The one without doubts will succeed. So develop love for God. That is the goal of our life. Recognize this and act accordingly.