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<\/a><\/p>\nOur existence is an integrated composite of mortal as well as immortal constituents. Immortal constituent is the Absolute One,\u00a0Virat Purusa \u00a0<\/em>orParam Brahma<\/em>. He is absolutely perfect in all respects and the ultimate cause of all that human comprehension can and cannot perceive. Mortal constituents are the complex derivatives of various manifests of\u00a0Prakrti<\/em>and these constitute\u00a0Ksetra\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0or field for the entire cosmic\u00a0Maya<\/em>\u00a0 to enact and re-enact itself. Entire\u00a0Maya<\/em>\u00a0 of creation, dissolution, birth and death is guided by the\u00a0Karma<\/em>\u00a0 performed, their\u00a0Guna<\/em>-s (whetherSattvik<\/em>,\u00a0Rajasik\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0Tamasik<\/em>) and corresponding\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s thereof. It is the composite of these\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s on mind that decide the entire gamut of subsequent birth and destined\u00a0Karma<\/em>. Business of\u00a0Moksa<\/em>\u00a0 or salvation is all about dissolving these\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s so as to attain the pristine pure innermost core of the\u00a0Jiva<\/em>. Once the absolute purity is attained after transcending various stages of\u00a0Tapa<\/em>\u00a0 and relevant attainments, stage is set for the ultimate salvation \/ liberation from the cycles of mortality. Eight-fold\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>\u00a0 enunciated by\u00a0Maharsi Patanjali<\/em>\u00a0 is a unique step-wise treatise on how to move forward on the path to the ultimate liberation and related experiences at every level of enlightenment. In brief, eight limbs of the\u00a0Yoga<\/em>\u00a0 are herein as under –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yamaniyamasanapranayampratyah<\/strong>aradharanadhyanasamadhyoasta v<\/strong><\/em>angani \u00a0<\/em>I (II\/29)<\/strong><\/p>\n Yama<\/em>\u00a0(Restraint),\u00a0Niyama<\/em>\u00a0(Observance),\u00a0Asana<\/em>\u00a0(Posture),\u00a0Pranayam<\/em>(Regulation of Breath),\u00a0Pratyahara<\/em>\u00a0(Withholding of Senses),\u00a0Dharana<\/em>(Fixity of Mind),\u00a0Dhyana<\/em>\u00a0(Meditation), and\u00a0Samadhi\u00a0<\/em>(Perfect Concentration) are the eight means of attaining\u00a0Yoga<\/em>.<\/p>\n Ahimsasatyasteyabrahmacaryapa<\/strong><\/em>rigrha Yamah<\/em>\u00a0 I (II\/30)<\/strong><\/p>\n Ahimsa<\/em>\u00a0(Non-Injury),\u00a0Satya<\/em>\u00a0(Truth),\u00a0Asteya<\/em>\u00a0(Abstention from Stealing),Brahamacarya<\/em>\u00a0(Continence) and\u00a0Aparigraha<\/em>\u00a0(Abstinence from Avariciousness) are the five\u00a0Yama-<\/em>s.<\/p>\n Saucasantosatapah Svadhyayesvarapranidhanani Niyamah<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (II\/32)<\/strong><\/p>\n Sauca\u00a0<\/em>(Cleanliness),\u00a0Santosa<\/em>\u00a0(Contentment),\u00a0Tapa<\/em>\u00a0(Austerity of mental & physical discipline),\u00a0Svadhyaya<\/em>\u00a0(Study of scriptures and\u00a0Japa<\/em>) andIsvarapranidhana<\/em>\u00a0(Devotion to the Supreme) are the\u00a0Niyama<\/em>-s.<\/p>\n Sthirasukhamasanam\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0I (II\/46)<\/strong><\/p>\n Motionless and agreeable form of staying in the posture.<\/p>\n Tasmin Sati Svasprasvasyorgativicchedah Pranayamah<\/em>\u00a0 I (II\/49)<\/strong><\/p>\n Asana<\/em>\u00a0 having been perfected, regulation of the flow of inhalation and exhalation is\u00a0Pranayam<\/em>.<\/p>\n Svavisayasamprayoge Cittasya Svarupanukar Ivendriyanam Pratyaharah\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0I (II\/54)<\/strong><\/p>\n When separated from their corresponding objects, organs follow, as it were, nature of the mind, that is called\u00a0Pratyahara<\/em>\u00a0(restraining of organs).<\/p>\n Desbandhaschittasya Dharana<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (III\/1)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dharana<\/em>\u00a0 is the mind’s fixation on a particular point in space.<\/p>\n Tatta Pratyayaiktanata Dhyanam<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (III\/2)<\/strong><\/p>\n In that\u00a0Dharana<\/em>, continuous flow of similar mental modifications is called\u00a0Dhyana<\/em>\u00a0(meditation).<\/p>\n Tadevarthamatranirbhasam Svarupasunyamiva Samadhih<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (III\/3)<\/strong><\/p>\n When the object of meditation only shines forth in the mind as though devoid of the thought of even the self (who is meditating), that state is called\u00a0Samadhi<\/em>\u00a0 or concentration.<\/p>\n ASTANGAYOGA\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0IS THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION<\/strong><\/p>\n This eight-fold endeavour to attain ultimate liberation is complete and perfect in itself. It has taken care of all the possible repurcussions and ramifications that one may encounter during it’s pursuit. The real marvel of\u00a0Astangayoga\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0lies in it’s complete and absolute objectivity, based on unedited and unadulterated cosmic realities. I venture to emphasise again, there is absolutely no trace of any subjective element whatsoever, in it’s entire philosophy.\u00a0So much so that even a Muslim-fanatic may dub it as the\u00a0Allah\u00a0Yoga<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 or a diehard harvester of faith, Christian-Benedict as the\u00a0Christ \/ Jesus\u00a0Yoga<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0!!!\u00a0If someone’s take happens to be that some Sufi fellow with the name Jalaluddin Rumi attained salvation by traversing the path of Islam, my rejoinder would be that even while practising five Namaz a day, Rumi could not ignore the elements of\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>\u00a0 i.e.\u00a0Yama<\/em>,\u00a0Niyama<\/em>…etc. He had to practise these, even in the name of Islam !!! Religions are merely spring-boards to higher state of existence.\u00a0Ultimate salvation is altogether a different proposition which no religion can attain<\/strong>. Utter pursuit of even Hinduism as a mere religion cannot attain salvation, leave alone Islam or Christianity.\u00a0Religion is a means to a higher state of existence while\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0is the highest means to the highest state of existence.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Even the so-called most intelligent man of the 20th Century, Albert Einstein practisedAstangayoga<\/em>\u00a0 to open up innumerable locks in his brain whose keys were irretrievably lost into his ocean of ignorance.<\/p>\n A mountaineer intending to mount Everest may come from any corner of the world yet he shall have to report at the Base-Camp before embarking on the heroism of summiteering.\u00a0Cosmic journey from the base-camp to the summit constitutes\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>\u00a0 wherein the base-camp is ‘Yama<\/em>‘ while the summit is the ‘Samadhi<\/em>‘<\/strong>. Journeys from various corners of the world to the base-camp are indeed, the sects i.e. Islam, Christianity, Judaism, so on so forth. As entanglement with the gross world is multi-pronged and multifarious, equally compatible spiritual regime is essential to combat the entanglement at the same level. Mysticism of\u00a0Astangayoga\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0lies in it’s absolute neutrality towards all faiths because mere pursuit of faith adds to the entanglement with the gross.\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0is amply competent to dissolve the drag caused by pursuit of faiths. Owing to it’s absolute objectivity and pristine purity,\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0is the\u00a0Param Satya Yoga\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0as well as\u00a0Param Brahma Yoga<\/em><\/strong>, too.<\/p>\n ASTANGAYOGA<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0EXTENDS PERFECT DEFINITION OF THE SUPREME ADSOLUTE<\/strong><\/p>\n Klesakarmavipakasayairparamr<\/strong><\/em>istah Purusavisesaisvarah<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (I\/24)<\/strong><\/p>\n Isvara \u00a0<\/em>is a particular\u00a0Purusa<\/em>, unaffected by affliction, deed, result of action or the latent impressions thereof. Absolute Existence is devoid of everything, infinitely beyond the faculty of human comprehension. This absolutely perfect, flawless state of existence which is all-inclusive as well, is what is known as the Supreme Deity or\u00a0Isvara<\/em>. This state is attainable \/ accessible to all hence, every\u00a0Jiva<\/em>\u00a0 is potentially divine. As we are vivid reflections of the Supreme Perfect, we are called upon to deport ourselves in a perfect way, right in this world itself. Perfection is an endless voyage and never a safe harbour. Even after attaining Perfect State of Existence i.e.\u00a0Isvara<\/em>, divine exercise of eternal renewal, renaissance and resurgence never ceases.\u00a0Astangayoga\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0alone extends absolutely correct description \/ definition of\u00a0Isvara<\/em>. Divinity is serene, tranquil yet never ever standstill.<\/p>\n ASTANGAYOGA<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0IS THE MOTHER OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n It is the foundation of the so-called modern Psychology.<\/p>\n Avidyasmitaragdvesabhinives<\/strong><\/em>a Klesah<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (II\/3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Avidya<\/em>\u00a0(Misapprehension about the real nature of things),\u00a0Asmita<\/em>(Egoism),\u00a0Raga\u00a0<\/em>(Passionate attachment),\u00a0Dvesa<\/em>\u00a0(Aversion) andAbhinivesa<\/em>\u00a0(Fear of death) are the five\u00a0Klesa<\/em>-s or afflictions.<\/p>\n Pramanaviparyayavikalpanidrasm<\/strong><\/em>rtayah<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (I\/6)<\/strong><\/p>\n Pramana<\/em>\u00a0(Perception, inference and testimony),\u00a0Viparyaya<\/em>\u00a0(Illusion, false knowledge),\u00a0Vikalpa<\/em>\u00a0(Hallucination),\u00a0Nidra<\/em>\u00a0(Dreamless sleep) andSmrti<\/em>\u00a0(Recollection) are the modifications of mind.<\/p>\n Dhyanaheyastadvrttayah<\/em>\u00a0 I (II\/11)<\/strong><\/p>\n Their means of subsistence or their gross states are avoidable by meditation.<\/p>\n Abhyasavairagyammyam Tannirodhah<\/em>\u00a0 I (I\/12)<\/strong><\/p>\n By practice and detachment, these can be stopped.<\/p>\n Sa Tu Dirghakalnairantaryasatkarasev<\/strong><\/em>ito Drdhbhumih<\/em>\u00a0 I (I\/14)<\/strong><\/p>\n Long practice without break and with devotion becomes firm in foundation.<\/p>\n Yogaschittavrtti Nirodhah<\/em>\u00a0 I (I\/2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Yoga<\/em>\u00a0 is suppression of the modifications of mind.<\/p>\n Tatastadvipakanugunanamevabhiv<\/strong><\/em>yaktirvasnanam<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (III\/8)<\/strong><\/p>\n Thence (from all varieties of\u00a0Karma<\/em>) are manifested the sub-conscious impressions appropriate to their consequences.<\/p>\n Klesmulah Karmasayo Drstaadrstajanmavedniyah<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (II\/12)<\/strong><\/p>\n Karmasaya<\/em>\u00a0 or the latent impressions of actions based on\u00a0Klesa<\/em>(Afflictions) becomes active in this life or in a life to come.<\/p>\n Sati Mule Tadvipako Jatyayurbhogah<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (II\/13)<\/strong><\/p>\n As long as\u00a0Klesa\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0remains at the root,\u00a0Karmasaya\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0produces three consequences in the form of birth, span of life and experience.<\/p>\n Te Hladaparitapphalah Punyapunyahetutvat\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0I (II\/14)<\/strong><\/p>\n Because of virtue and vice, these (birth, span and experience) produce pleasant and painful experiences.<\/p>\n Tato Dvandvanabhighatah<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (II\/48)<\/strong><\/p>\n From that arises immunity from\u00a0Dvandva<\/em>-s or opposite conditions.<\/p>\n And finally –<\/p>\n Pratyasya Parichittjnanam<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I (III\/18)<\/strong><\/p>\n By practising\u00a0Samyama<\/em>\u00a0 (Self-control and moderation) on notions, knowledge of other minds is developed.<\/p>\n It is amply clear from the aforesaid\u00a0Sutra<\/em>-s that the entire human conduct is a complex, integrated function of all these modifications \/ manifestations of mind. These constitute the innermost core, very fundamental essence of entire human psyche. What Psychology and it’s principles expound, are merely exterior semblences of the aforesaid subtle modifications of mind. What modern Psychology cannot explain, is profoundly explained by the principles of\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>. Once entire structure \/ integrated-mix of the entire battery of\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s is perceived, entire psyche can be marvellously explained \/ understood and future conduct correctly anticipated \/ predicted, a feat very difficult for a psychologist to achieve. Entire conduct of\u00a0Gautama Buddha\u00a0<\/em>(renouncing his kingdom, young queen and infant prince, accepting maroon robes, attaining the Supreme State, then coming back to his queen and prince to beg for alms) or\u00a0Sri Ram<\/em>\u00a0 (renouncing kingdom at the behest of His step-mother and her maid-attendant etc.) or\u00a0Maharsi Dadhichi<\/em>\u00a0 (who donated his bones for a common cause) simply cannot be explained away by the so-called Psychology, albeit\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>\u00a0 can. Entire phenomenon that later came to be known as\u00a0Bhagvadgita \u00a0<\/em>is a splendid display of various\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s at work in the mind ofArjuna<\/em>.\u00a0That way,\u00a0Sri Krsna\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0turns out to be the GREATEST APPLIED PSYCHOLOGIST EVER BORN TO THE PLANET EARTH though He was not a Ph.D. holding, qualified psychologist at all !!!!<\/strong>\u00a0It was the\u00a0Mahayogi\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0in Him at His splendid best !! Psychology is at it’s wit’s end to rationalise\u00a0Arjuna<\/em>‘s conduct in the battle-field.\u00a0Need it be stated further that\u00a0Maharsi Patanjali<\/em>\u00a0 is the real Father of Psychology<\/strong>\u00a0and NOT Sigmund Fraud at all ??\u00a0Truth about Sigmund Fraud is that the poor fellow just did not understand even a, b, c of Psychology<\/strong>. Why should one ardently desire to merge himself into the Infinite is a dark mystery \/ black hole for the discipline of Psychology and it’s ignorant father.<\/p>\n A refined mind, purified of\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s is capable of perceiving what’s going on in other’s mind, as enunciated in\u00a0Sutra\u00a0<\/em>III\/18. A psychologist would call it ‘intuition’, betraying ignorance and naivete at it’s best.<\/p>\n ASTROLOGY HAS IT’S ROOTS IN\u00a0ASTANGAYOGA<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Karma<\/em>-s leave their\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s on the horizon of mind. Since the cosmic law of cause vs. effect ordains these latent\u00a0Samskara<\/em>-s to be consummated \/ redeemed, it shall invite another set of\u00a0Karma<\/em>-s as their corresponding \/ respondent effects. The anticipated\u00a0Karma<\/em>-s as effect are explicitly reflected in the planetary positions of one’s horoscope \/ birth-chart. It can now be sequenced that it’s CausativeKarma<\/em>\u00a0 to\u00a0Samskara<\/em>\u00a0 to Astro-Chart to Corresponding \/ Compatible Birth-Chart \/ Horoscope to\u00a0Karma<\/em>\u00a0 as ‘effect’ or destiny for the life to Events of the life as revealed \/ predicted in the horoscope. It is amply clear, roots of Astrology are vested in the wisdom of\u00a0Astangayoga<\/em>. For the instances where predictions are proved wrong, fault lies in the erudition and experience of the astrologer and NOT in the\u00a0NANO-ACCURACY of the wisdom of Astrology !!!<\/strong>\u00a0Lone objective of Astrology is to facilitate one’s spiritual drive, culminating inNirvana<\/em>\u00a0 and in no way to accumulate material wealth or comfort.<\/strong><\/p>\n MYSTICISM OF\u00a0KARMAYOGA<\/em>\u00a0 UNDER THE DOMAIN OF