Essence of Bhagavad Gita

Assignment

Name: Santosh Kumar Doodala

Reg. No: 124003280
Subject: ACRS OE Bhagavad Gita

Topics:
1. Explain the meaning, Characteristics and importance of
three forms of yoga- Jnana / karma / Bhakti.
2. What are the eight principles of Ashtanga Yoga?
Explain any one Yoga in detail. Ex. Pranayama

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1. Explain the meaning, Characteristics and importance of
three forms of yoga- Jnana / karma / Bhakti.
Yoga is an art of discovering the ‘true Nature’ of the self to unite with ‘divine Nature’.
Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice.

Let’s look at each of the Paths of Yoga and see how we can incorporate them into our
lives.

i. Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion)

Bhakti is the yoga of devotion, ultimately to the Divine. Bhakti is the easiest of the paths.
Bhakti is the path of love which removes jealousy, hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride, and
arrogance. It replaces those feelings with feelings of joy, divine ecstasy, bliss, peace,
and wisdom. Vedanta says no matter what you do or where you go, our Divine
connection can never be broken.

Characteristics of Jnana yoga:

 Pure in thoughts
 Looking for Divinity in the ordinary
 Honoring and respecting all life
 Purification of heart through devotion
 Singing, dancing, chanting and listening to Divine verses
 Openness to everything

The Nine Limbs of Devotion :

 Shravana – “listening” to the ancient scriptures, especially potent if told by a saint
or genuine bhakta.

 Kirtana – “singing” devotional songs usually practiced in a call-and-response

group format.

 Smarana – “remembering” the Divine by constantly meditating upon its name and
form.

 Padasevana – “service at the feet” of the Divine, which incorporates the practice
of karma yoga (selfless service) with bhakti (devotion).

 Archana – the “ritual worship” of the Divine through practices such as puja (deity
worship), and havan or homa (fire offering).

 Vandana – the “prostration” before the image of one’s chosen image or

representation of the Divine.

 Dasya – the “unquestioning” devotion of the Divine involving the cultivation of

serving the will of God instead of one’s own ego.

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  Sakhya – the “friendship” and relationship established between the Divine and the
devotee.

 Atmanivedana – the “self-offering” and complete surrender of the self to the

Divine.

Importance of Bhakti yoga

 Bhakti softens the heart and removes jealousy, hatred, lust, anger, egoism,
pride and arrogance.
 It infuses joy, divine ecstasy, bliss, peace, and knowledge.
 It helps to reach the state of rasa (essence), a feeling of pure bliss achieved in
the devotional surrender to the Divine.
 It helps reduce the ego as we look to perform action beyond our own self-
centered desires.
 It steer us to do the right thing, rather than just act on our own likes and dislikes.
 It purifies our emotions as our emotions are directed to God, righteous people,
or virtuous scripture.
 The path of devotion can be combined with Jnana Yoga as knowledge gained
with devotion to the sages and saints who passed it down, keeps the spiritual
aspirant humble.
 It diminishes your identity and wards off you from negative feelings like an
annoyance, a sense of self, and presumption.
 It takes away fear, anxiety and worry and keeps you peaceful.
 This Yoga lets you control your feelings and hold tough conditions with ease.

ii. Karma Yoga (the yoga of action and selfless service)

Karma yoga is a path to reach moksha (spiritual liberation) through work. It is rightful
action without being attached to fruits or being manipulated by what the results might be, a
dedication to one's duty, and trying one's best while being neutral to rewards or outcomes
such as success or failure. The heart is purified so egoism, hatred, jealousy, selfishness,
and similar negative qualities vanish, creating space for humility, pure love, sympathy,
tolerance, and compassion.

With Karma Yoga, all desires eventually merge into one, which is to serve and ultimately
serve the Divine. Karma Yoga is about purifying the heart and counteracting egoism. It
involves the dedication of all work as an offering, with no thought of personal reward. From
this rule follows the four guiding principles: Right Attitude, Right Motive, Give up Result,
and Serve the Self in All.

Characteristics of Karma Yoga:

 Emphasis on process than outcome.

 Obligation towards others
 To act with equanimity
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  Seek perfection / Excellence in action
 To regard work as an offering to higher self.
 Do the duty, but do not concern with results.
 The fruits of actions are not for doer’s enjoyment, but for God.
 Giving up the pride of doership.
 Do not attached to inaction

Importance of Karma Yoga

 A karma-yogi is free from desires and mental worry about results.

 One is free from the sense of doer-ship and enjoyer-ship.
 Everyone works with total efficiency, but he works non-attached.
 Body and mind are always under control, and not affected by the success or
failure of his actions.
 Karma Yoga helps us work with a sense of total relaxation.
 Allows us to work with more focus and concentration, and thereby achieve better
results.
 Helps to decrease ego. We do what is supposed to be done, not what we would
like to do.
 Provides the major motivation to live a moral life.
 Teaches how karma performed by us can beneficially lead towards self-
realization.
 Karma yoga cures bhavarog (Cycles of birth & death)
 It is necessary to perform karma, bearing in mind that if wise display good
conduct, even the unwise shall follow.
 Setting ideals for society.

iii. Gyana (Jnana) Yoga-(the yoga of will and intellect)

Jnana yoga also known as the jnana marga, is one of the classical paths for moksha
(liberation), which emphasizes the "path of knowledge”, also known as the "path of self-
realization". It is considered to be the most difficult path to attain self-realization
because Jnana yogi requires having an intense spiritual practice and discipline.
Through meditation, self-inquiry, and contemplation, the yogi can attain wisdom
about the true reality of self and be liberated from the Maya (illusions).Jnana Yoga is
also called the Yoga of Intellect.
Characteristics
Jnana Yoga utilizes a one-pointed meditation on a single question of self-inquiry to
remove the veils of illusion created by our concepts, world views, and perceptions. This
practice allows us to realize the temporary and illusionary nature of maya and to see the
oneness of all things. A Jnana yogi possesses fearlessness, predominance of sattva, well

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established in the yoga of knowledge, (engaged in) charity, self-restraint, self-study of the
scriptures, austerity and simplicity.

There are four prescribed steps in Jnana Yoga known as Sadhana Chatushtaya (the Four
Pillars of Knowledge).
 Viveka (discernment, discrimination) - a deliberate, intellectual effort to distinguish
between the real and the unreal.
 Vairagya (dispassion, detachment) - cultivating non-attachment toward worldly
possessions and the ego-mind.
 Shatsampat (six virtues) - six mental practices to stabilize the mind and emotions.
The six virtues are
 Shama (tranquility, calmness),
 dama (restraint, control),
 Uparati (withdrawal, renunciation),
 Titiksha (endurance, forbearance) ,
 Shraddha (faith, trust) and
 Samadhana (focus, concentration
 Mumukshutva (longing, yearning) - an intense and passionate desire for achieving
liberation from suffering.

After completion of these, there are three core practices of Jnana Yoga, according
to Upanishadic teachings:
 Sravana - hearing or experiencing Vedantic philosophy through a guru or spiritual
teacher.
 Manana - thinking and reflecting on the teachings of non-duality in an attempt to
understand their subtleties.
 Nididhyasana - constant and profound meditation Brahman and the inner self.

Importance of Jnana Yoga

 Liberation from the illusionary world of maya (self-limiting thoughts and perceptions)
and to achieve the union of the inner Self (Atman) with the oneness of all life.
 Attainment of the supreme knowledge that helps you realise your selfish desires,
limitations, ego, illusions, and ignorance.
 Jnana yoga focuses on helping a person achieve liberation from suffering through
experiential knowledge of the absolute divine truth and universal consciousness.
 Channeling the flow of energy and coupling it with conscious breathing, it improves
blood circulation. When circulation improves, organs, such as kidneys, liver, and
heart, function better. This, in the long run, helps prevent serious diseases of these
organs.
 This is an excellent technique of mindfulness that reduces stress and anxiety.

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  Helps in making your pituitary and pineal glands healthy and reducing the risk of
hormonal imbalance and thyroid.
 Enhances your focus and creativity.
 Helps to realize full potential and achieve the personal and professional objectives.
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Reference: yogapedia.com, yogabasics.com, fitsri.com,
Upaya-goga.com, sanatan.org, poddtoppen.se

2. What are the eight principles of Ashtanga

Yoga?
Explain any one Yoga in detail. Ex. Pranayama
Ashtanga Yoga is an eight-limbed path towards achieving the state of Yoga, also known
as Samadhi. The definition of Ashtanga Yoga is found in the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, an
ancient text on the theory and practice of Yoga thought to have been compiled in about
200 CE by Sage Patañjali.

The definition of the eight-limbed path that leads to Yoga is found in book two of the Yoga
Sutras of Patañjali, Sadhana Pada, the chapter on yoga practice. Sutra 2.29 states: “the
eight limbs of yoga are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana,
and samadhi.”

These eight limbs can be described in this way:

i. Yama (Principles or moral code)

 Ahimsa - A principle of non-violence

 Satya - A principle of Truthfulness
 Asteya - A principle of non stealing
 Brahmacharya - Continence / Celibacy
 Aparigah - A principle of non-hoarding or non possessiveness

ii. Niyama (Personal Disciplines)

 Shoucha - Purity
 Santosh - Contentment
 Tapa - Endurance
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  Swadhyaya - Self study
 Eshwar Pranidhan - Dedication

iii. Asanaa (Yoga Positions or Yogic Postures)

A stable and comfortable posture which helps attains mental equilibrium.

iv. Pranayama (Yogic Breathing)

Extension and control of breath.

v. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)

A mental preparation to increase the power of mind.

vi. Dharana (Concentration on Object)

Concentration of mind on one object and its field.

vii. Dhyana (Meditation)

With drawing mind from all external objects and focusing it on one point and
meditating on it.

viii. Samadhi (Salvation)

State of Super bliss, joy and merging individual consciousness in to universal
consciousness. Realizing the Bramhan (pure consciousness) or Realization of
God is the ultimate achievement of Human Birth.

PRANAYAMA

'Pranayama' is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates to 'control of breath'. 'Prana' means
breath or life force and 'ayama' means to control. So, it is a set of practices to control the
'prana' within the body through breathing techniques.Regardless of the type of pranayama
breathing technique, there are always three main stages:

 Purak (inhalation through nostrils)

 Kumbhak (retention
 Rechak (Exhalation)

According to the speed of breathing, it is divided into three parts:

i. Quiet Breathing
ii. Deep Breathing
iii. Fast Breathing.
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 Types of Pranayama

1. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

It is a slow and deep yoga breathing exercise. We close our nostrils alternatively in a
way that balances the left and right brain hemispheres.

Benefits:

i. Significantly reduces depression, stress and anxiety.

ii. Refreshes air throughout the lungs and alters autonomic activity.
iii. Significantly reduces participant’s mathematical problem-solving time.

2. Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath)

Bhastrika pranayama is a fast and short breathing type pranayama. In this, exaggerated
and forceful breathing is performed engaging the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.

Benefits:

 Very effective in revitalizing the working of the lungs.

 The elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall increased thereby strengthening the
respiratory muscles.
 Stimulates parasympathetic nervous system which brings a sense of calmness
and reduced stress.

3. Kapalbhati Pranayama
Kapalbhati is a type of pranayama that can be categorized under fast, asymmetrical,
and diaphragmatic breathing. In kapalbhati Pranayama, forceful exhalation is attributed
to the complete detox of the body by cleansing the Kapal (skull).

Benefits:

 Massages the brain cells and we feel lighter after performing it.
 Increases the circulation of oxygen-rich blood in the body which in turn increases
melanin proportion to glow skin.
 Kapalbhati increases the metabolic rate of the body.
 Decreases the blood sugar level in diabetic individuals.
 Effective in reducing menopausal complications.

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4. Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath)
In Bhramari pranayama, as we exhale, the ear canal is closed with index fingers and a
humming sound is produced from the back of the throat. The mind is focused on the
vibratory sound of a humming bee in prolonged exhalation.

Benefits:
 Affects cardiovascular system which in turn reduces high blood pressure and
heart rate.
 Relieves the symptoms of sinusitis.
 Reduces anxiety and other psychological symptoms.
5. Anulom Vilom Pranayama
Anulom Vilom pranayama is a type of alternate nostril breathing performed with the
right hand in Vishnu Mudra. Close the right nostril with the right thumb inhale from the
left nostril. Then close the left nostril with the ring and little finger, exhale from the right
nostril. Repeat in this manner alternatively.

Benefits:
 Significantly improves the lung function of swimmers.
 Increases lung capacity and period of breath retention.
 Can resolve sinus inflammation (rhino sinusitis).
 Affects the cognitive functions of the brain including learning, thinking, reasoning,
remembering, and problem-solving skills.
6. Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath)
In this the tongue is rolled in a ‘U’ or ‘O’ shape and extends out of the mouth. This is
followed by long inhalation – the air is sucked in through rolled tongue and exhaled out
through the nostrils.

Benefits:

 Moisturizes the dry mouth which in turn relieves from bad breath.
 Have hunger and thirst control ability.
 Has a calming effect on the entire nervous system.
 Has the ability to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
7. Surya Bhedna Pranayama (Right Nostril Breathing)
Surya Bhedna pranayam is a type of uninostril yogic breathing in which inhalation and
exhalation are limited to the right nostril and left nostril respectively.

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Benefits:
 Breathing in through the right nostril increases oxygen consumption and thereby
the overall metabolic status of the yogi.
 Enhances a person’s logical and reasoning ability.
 The heat produced through this practice burns up impurities and can help
eliminate pathogens from the body.
8. Chandra Bhedna Pranayama
In this pranayama type, breathing is done in the opposite manner to Surya Bhedna
pranayama i.e. Inhale – left nostril and exhale – right nostril.

Benefits:

 Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system leads to decreased oxygen

consumption and load on the heart.
 Decrease in cardiovascular parameters such as heart rate, systolic pressure
(SP), pulse pressure in hypertensive patients.
 Muscular tension relaxation.
9. Sheetkari Pranayama (Hissing Breath)
This pranayama is simply performed by closing the mouth and bringing the upper and
lower teeth together. Expose them by parting the lips. Then perform Khechari mudra by
folding the tongue to touch the soft palate. Inhale through the exposed teeth. Close the
mouth to hold your breath for two seconds and then exhale through nostrils.

Benefits:

 Lowers blood pressure and reducing symptoms of anxiety.

 Releases emotional and psychological knots present in the body.
 Induces relaxing brain waves like delta and alpha band power in the frontal and
occipital regions.
10. Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath)
Ujjayi pranayama is performed by inhaling from the nose, constricting the throat
internally, and releasing the breath opening the mouth. The exhalation must produce an
“HAA” sound as you open the mouth.

Benefits:

 Releases tension from the lower back and increases the supply of oxygen-rich
blood down to the spine.
 Relieves from sciatica or spinal spondylitis.
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  Higher metabolic rate in the body.
 Significantly improves the resting heart rate and resting pulse rate.
11. Plavini Pranayama
In Plavini pranayama air is gulped into the stomach either by means of simple nostril
breathing or through the mouth in kaki mudra. Then without any physical movement or
expelling the air out, the air is retained inside the body for 30 to 90 minutes.

Benefits:

 By stopping the air inside the stomach, the yogis do not feel hungry so plavini
pranayama is a way of natural fasting.
 Makes the body lighter enough so one can float easily on the water surface. It’s
also called ‘floating breath’.

12. Murcha Pranayama (Swooning Breath)

In Murcha Pranayama, the air is inhaled through nostrils at fullest capacity. Then
using Jalandhar Bandha (throat lock) breath is held and the air is retained inside for
even longer than is comfortable.

Benefits:

 Lowers the oxygen concentration in blood reaching the brain, results in fainting
sensation. Eventually, it clears practitioner’s connection to the external world,
hence helps in pratyahara (sense withdrawal).
 Gives mental clarity and induces relaxation and inner awareness.
13. Sama Vritti Pranayama (Box Breathing)
It’s a slow and deep pranayama type that focuses on all 3 parts of breathing – inhale,
exhale, and retention.A practitioner has to ensure an equal period of their breath
including inhale, holding the breath in, exhale, and holding the breath out.

Benefits:

 It enables the lung to work evenly and equally during inhalation, retention, and
exhalation, ultimately increases lung capacity.
 Has a stress-busting effect as breathing evenly directly affects the autonomic
nervous system.
 By reducing stress response, this lets us sleep well with full efficiency in very little
time.

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14. Dirgha Pranayama (Three-Part Breathing)
Inhalation and exhalation are done in 3 parts. First, complete filling of the lower
abdomen. Second, complete filling of the thoracic region by the extension of side ribs.
Finally extension of upper chest area by lengthening of collarbone and shoulders.

Benefits:

 Relaxes the blood vessels and widen them, which reduce the high blood
pressure.
 When abdomen moves with breathing, internal abdominal organs also make the
movement. It gives them internal massage and enhances the digestive system
function.
 Effects the oxygen concentration in blood to the brain.
15. Udgeeth Pranayama (Chanting breath)
There are many common names of Udgeeth Pranayama like Omkari jap, Om chanting,
Omkara chanting. While performing this pranayama, Omkara sound connects you with
silence within you. In this silence, our brain gets vibrations to tune in a natural
frequency.

Benefits:

 Helps to deal with anxiety, guilt, fear, and sadness.

 Cures acidity and problems related to sleep (Insomnia) and bad dreams.

Reference: Yogapoint.com, en.wikipedia.com, newvibeyoga.com

artofliving.org. stresscoach.app, fitsri.com

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