Dear Friends,
Namaste!
Who conceptualized, practiced and spread Yoga first? When was Yoga first told as formal science to mankind? Where was it told? With what specific purpose? How is Yoga universally applicable to every human being and what specific benefits can we derive by practicing it?
It is essential for each Yoga aspirant to know answers to the above questions to have correct context. Without this context, it is difficult to put Yoga in perspective. Without the right perspective, it is difficult to gain full benefits that this Supreme Science has to offer.
For, there is a huge difference between doing things knowingly and unknowingly. A construction worker may plod his way through his work if he does not know that he is actually building a Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world! Similarly a Yoga practitioner may tread wearily from one posture to another if he does not know that he is completely transforming, nay revolutionising, his life!! Therefore knowing theory is as important as putting it into practice and vice versa. In fact, theory and practice are two sides of the Yoga coin. The theory part is known as “Vihangam Marga” (the route of a bird flying to the top) and the practice part is known as the “Pipeelika Marga” (the route of a climber taking one step at a time to reach the top).
They are not mutually exclusive. Theory is like a map required to reach the destination and practice is the actual journey undertaken with the help of the map. Therefore, whilst we are discussing Yoga-Shastra theory through these articles, it is imperative that these principles be practised every step of the way to actually reach the destination (or even the milestones!).
But we are digressing! So let’s revert back to the story of Yoga origin...
When Lord Krishna’s attempt to persuade the Kauravas to accommodate the Pandavas failed, it was concluded that the issue could be resolved only on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The stage was set for this mother of all battles with Pandavas lining up an army of seven “Akshauhini” (one “Akshauhini” consists of two hundred and twenty five thousand soldiers) and Kauravas boasting of an eleven “Akshauhini” strong army.
The two sides stood facing each other on Kurukshetra – raring to get at each others’ throats. The atmosphere was electric. All warriors were brandishing their favourite weapons, blowing their conch-shells and howling at the opposition. The elephants were raising their trunks and making fearful noises. The horses were straining at the leash and raising dust with their hooves. The battleground had suddenly become very blood-thirsty! Everyone and everything was expectantly waiting for the signal to commence fighting.
The great warrior Arjuna, the third eldest among the Pandavas, boarded his chariot wielding his world-famous “Gandeeva” bow. Lord Krishna Himself was his charioteer and waiting for the first instruction from the great warrior.
“O Krishna,” Arjuna said as soon as he got into the chariot, “Please take our chariot in the middle of the battleground so that I can survey the warriors on both sides.”
This Lord Krishna did. Arjuna started looking around to gauge the field-setting of the opposition. He saw his own brothers, the Kauravas, standing there as enemies. He saw his own teachers, other relatives and friends standing there ready to kill him or get killed.
All of a sudden, Arjuna felt deeply saddened. The idea of killing near and dear ones for material benefits and so-called “justice” seemed grotesque in that moment. Should he fight for self-respect and restore the Pandava reputation by killing his relatives, teachers and friends? Or should he rather leave them to their misbehaviour and fate and just retire in a jungle to lead a Spartan life?
Is man not a social and gregarious animal? So, if for living, one has to kill everyone that one is living for, then what is the point in that life? Rather than enjoying a kingdom tainted with the blood of one’s own kith and kin, did it make more sense to embrace a peaceful, albeit reclusive, life?
Poor Arjuna became completely baffled, thoroughly confused. He started shivering and sweating. His eyes filled with tears. All the strength started to drain from his body. He could not even stand properly, leave alone wield and put his favourite “Gandeeva” to any use whatsoever! With shaking hands, he put his bow aside and sat down. He buried his head in his hands.
With great effort he spoke, “O Krishna, I am utterly confused and do not know what to do, what is best for me and everybody. I surrender unto you completely. Please be so kind as to guide me in this crisis.”
It was at this moment that Yoga-Shastra, as known to us today, was born.
Enjoy...
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