PRACTICE OF YOGA

About the Book:

The end and aim of human existence is universally accepted by all right-thinking men as the realisation of God-consciousness. As such, a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the various ways and means to that end will be most welcome. This knowledge goes by the name of Yoga, or the Science of the Self, which has been perfected by the saints and sages of yore.

This book contains many practical lessons on Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga which all can be termed simply as Yoga. It will help the aspirants in the path of Jnana to enjoy the Supreme Bliss of the Self. Followers of Raja Yoga will find in it valuable and interesting lessons for the attainment of perfect concentration and blissful state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Again, it serves as a divine light to all Bhaktas to fix their minds on the effulgent glory of their Ishta Devata, Students of Karma Yoga and Hatha Yoga will find a wealth of information and knowledge. To the spiritual aspirants this book will be a gift from the land of gods, as it were.

Karma Yoga removes the impurities of the mind and develops the heart. Bhakti Yoga destroys the tossing of the mind. Raja Yoga steadies the mind and develops concentration. Jnana Yoga removes the veil of ignorance and brings knowledge of the Self. Therefore one should practise all the four Yogas.

About the Author:

Born on the 8th September, 1887, in the illustrious family of Saga Appayya Diskhita and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta. Added to this was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind.

His passion for service drew him to the medical career; and soon he gravitated to where he thought that his service was most needed. Malaya claimed him. He had earlier been editing a Health Journal and wrote extensively on health problems. He discovered that people needed right knowledge most of all; dissemination of that knowledge he espoused as his own mission.

It was divine dispensation and the blessing of God upon mankind that the doctor of body and mind renounced his career and took to a life of renunciation to qualify himself for ministering to the soul of man. He settled down at Rishikesh in 1924, practiced intense austerities and shone as a great Yogi, Saint, Sage and Jivanmukta.

In 1932 he started the Sivanandashram. In 1936 was born The Divine Life Society. In 1948 the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy was organized. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and training of people in Yoga and Vedanta were their aim and object. In 1950 he undertook a lightning tour of India and Ceylon. In 1953 he convened a 'World Parliament Reliogions'. He is the author of over 300 volumes and has disciples all over the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To read his works is to drink at the fountain of Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 1963 he entered Mahasamadhi.