Śodhan
The information about Yoga found in the various Indian texts and yogic procedures concerns the bringing to light, by venerable sages and yogis versed* in the great tantras, of the learning received initially from the Lord Śankara Himself.
[*The yogic meaning of “versed” is “lectures to clean the soul,” meaning that the master is not only lecturing, but also “cleaning” or “purifying” the audience]
In accordance with its precepts, the basis of yoga, which is communion with the Universal Soul as represented by the physical body, is stabilized in myriad ways prior to performing the various yogic actions. The initial stage of the functional form of these yogic actions consists of āsanas (yogic procedures) that clear the energetic channels.
The first step of the functional and meditational form of the pre- kriyā stage and bhāvanā darśana (coming vis à vis internally with the requisite affective state of mind) is called mudrā (pose). The second step is called dhyāna yoga (yogic meditation). The third stage is sthiratā (stability of mind and body) and the fourth stage is called samādhi (yogic trance).
We shall in this first chapter present the learning related to āsanas originating from the Supreme Guru, Lord ‘Ādinathā’ (the Primordial Lord i.e. Śiva) and later practiced by other sages.
The actions inherent in these āsanas are intended to purify the bodily basis of the soul. The soul is contained in the body, and it is not affected by bodily or other external influences. The soul is untouchable.
The purification can advance to such an extent that, by the end of this process, the yogi may fulfill his objective of “dissolving” and becoming one with the eternal, first passing into liberation from the chains represented by the regular natural functions of the body and then consequently inhabiting the world “freely,”unimpeded and unrestricted by physical demands.
It is in line with this objective of becoming one with the eternal that facts related to yoga are laid out in the following manner:
The body becomes purged through the six acts of purification (dhāutī, netī and so forth), gains firmness through proper āsana practice, stability or equanimity through mudrās, patience through pratyāharā or practice of mental temperance, presumptive power by the lightness of being that is gained from proper and correct flow of the five vital breaths (prānas) through the body channels via prānāyāma or breath control exercises, and an ineluctable trance, whose location is within the ātmā (soul) itself, through dhyāna(meditation), which, in turn, leads to detachment and thus salvation. There is no doubt regarding the success of the aforementioned scheme of things.
Via these six acts the body becomes firm and depolluted.
The six act of purification are composed of various techniques and should only be prescribed and guided by an accomplished master.
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