YOG TRADITION OF INDIA Editorial Board: Dr. S.F. Biria, Dr. Jitendra B. Shah Mr. Prasant S. Iyengar DISCOURSES ON YOG The word Yog comes from Sanskrit, an ancient language. It is a derivation of the word Yuj, which means samadhi, as in a team of oxen (union). Yog is said to be the purpose of uniting the mind, body and spirit. Yog is a science, a faculty, a philosophy, a religion and a culture. The discourses were given for the students, scholars and sadhakas of Yog. The Yogic path shows the way for the upliftment of entire humanity, right from an ordinary individual to the godly and saintly men. All the twenty-four principles (tattvas) of Prakriti exist in this limited corporeal body. The entire Universe is manifested in it. The greatness of science is expounded in the beginning of the book. A human being does not exist only in visible physical body but has trinity of body-the triple body as gross, subtle, causal. This is spiritual knowledge. The discourses lucidly explain the three kinds of body, the five koshas and the six plexi.

PRASHANT S. IYENGAR is the son of Yogacharya BKS Iyengar and an authority on yoga. He is presently the director of Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI). His knowledge about the scriptures and the ancient texts makes learning yoga very interesting. He is also an accomplished violinist.

An anthology of the discourses given by Prashant lyengar in Marathi in the Ramamani lyengar Memorial Yog Institute, Pune for exploring some aspects of Yog was published in 2004. It gives us great pleasure to publish the First Volume of these discourses translated in English.

Yog is a science, a faculty, a philosophy, a religion and a culture. The discourses were given for the students, scholars and sadhakas of Yog. They are being published so that philomaths of Yog in and outside the Institute also should be benefitted.

Yog is a pride possession of our great Indian tradition. The project is designed to introduce it to the curious students. The science of Yog contains entire thought of man. The sadhanaa of Yog Vidya can offer the highest goal and bliss of life. The greatness of this science is expounded in the beginning of the book. It is impossible to think about man without thinking about the natural phenomena around him as he is born out of it. This thought is extremely interesting, wonderful and engrossing. A human being does not exist only in visible physical body but has trinity of body-the triple body as gross, subtle, causal. This is spiritual knowledge. The discourses lucidly explain the three kinds of body, the five koshas and the six plexi.

Next comes Ashtanga yog in all its aspects. This Ashtanga Yog is the basis of all kinds of Yog such as Jnana Yog, Karma Yog, Bhakti Yog, Mantra Yog, Laya Yog, Hatha Yog, Raja Yog, Kundalini Yog, Nada Yog, Nama Yog. This seminal thought is put forth with appropriate evidences. The basis of Yog sadhana is the trinity of yajna, dana or charity and tapa or penance. One chapter explains this path and culture of Yoga as it is not only relevant but very significant in the modern world.

The part of physiology is interesting, brain storming and important from the point of view of Yog sadhana. The science of Yog is brimful of psychology. Hence the discourses on Yog psychology have become unforgettable.

One amazing thought here is about the freedom of an individual. It is proved logically that this does not stand in opposition to self control but is in line with it. While describing Mantra Yog, Laya Yog, Hatha Yog, Raja Yog, Kundalini Yog, Nada Yog, Nama Yog as kinds of Jnana Yog, Karma Yog, Bhakti Yog and Dhyana Yog the readers can get acquainted with many facets of Yog. They will not fail to be aware that Yog is a way of life. It is the sadhana of life. The engaging sytle of narration will appeal to their brain and heart while they imbibe the knowledge of Yog.

The words in the Sandhis are separated in the Sanskrut quotations in order that all the readers should understand their meaning easily.

The Publishers `Yog' are thankful to Dr. Adavi and Dr. Supriya Sahasrabuddhe who translated the discourses --cm Marathi into English and to Dr. Vijaya Deo for her help - proof reading.

We sincerely thank the students from England for oonsoring this publication.

**Contents and Sample Pages**