Introduction to ASTANG (or RaJ) YOGA of Patanjali. 

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History of Raj Yoga, Patanjali Yoga, Astanga-Yoga or 8 steps of Yoga.

The classical example of reaching Nirvana (By Yoga practices and Samadhi) is seen in the life story of Lord Buddha (6th cent. BC), the founder of Buddhism. Born as a prince he left his beautiful wife and young son. He practiced many penance to reach the Samadhi state, but one day he fell down unconscious on a road. He gave up penance and started taking food, and reached Nirvana by meditation. Nir means without, vana means speech. A person becomes speechless at Samadhi point of Yoga study. God can't be described with words. This state is called Kaivalya in Jainism and Moksha meaning "Totally Liberated mind" in Hinduism. Nirvana is state of eternal peaceful mood and intellectual wisdom (Bodhi-hood).

After the period of Lord Buddha, Saint Patanjali (2nd Cent. BC.) developed Yoga into a perfect art and science by arranging majestic 8 words in 8 steps. The words are from an old 4 step (PADA) - Yoga Thesis, narrated in about 200 verses. These 4 PADA were known as Samadhi Pada (51 Verses), Sadhan Pada (55 verses), Vibhooti Pada (56 verses) and Kaivalya Pada (38 Verses). All 4 padas jointly were known as Yoga Sutras. (Ref. The Text Book of Yoga, By Shri Brahmanand Sarasvati- formerly Dr. Rammurti Mishra of Spring vally. NY). 

From above 200 verses Patanjali seems to have picked up only 8 words and arranged them into a ladder of self-study. This revised '8 step Yoga' is known as Astanga-Yoga, Raj Yoga, Yoga of Patanjali, Hath Yoga etc.,. A new student has to learn each step slowly under the guidance and supervision of a well-read, non-greedy Guru. 

Lord Buddha declared in clear words that extreme body torture (Tapa or Penance) is not needed for reaching Nirvana. Lord Buddha and later on Patanjali have recognized the need of good health of body by proper diet, clean water, moderate exercises and fresh air. Some simple control of diet items, drinking habits, and food etc.,. prevent food and water related diseases. Regular practice of Asanas keep all body joints mobile and pain free. Life style of daily Karma Yoga postpones crippling old age and prevents and cures many psycho-somatic diseases.

Body, Mind, Intellect and Soul.

Human Body is equipped with a unique gift of God- Intellect or common sense (Buddhi). It is not found in lower mammals, animals and plant kingdom. "MIND, INTELLECT and KNOWLEDGE" are all different aspects (areas) in human brain. Mind is called the sixth sense organ in the Gita. But it is with intellect that we think, judge and reason and not with mind. Curiosity, questions and search for truth of answers root from intellect in true Scientists. 

In ancient scriptures of India, the word Brahman meant Soul, Spirit or spark of life. Knowledge of Spirit - Brahman was called Brahma-Vidya. Same Soul (Brahman) is present in all living human beings, animals, small creatures and plant kingdom. By meditation a student learns to identify Soul as a separate element (Tatva) from Body, 5 senses, Mind and Intellect. Soul is different from all material gross objects like stones, land, water and air.