PATHS OF YOGA

Yoga is the journey as well as the goal. There are many paths of yoga
described in the scriptures. Just as all rivers lead to the ocean, all paths of yoga
lead to Self-realization. Though the journey may begin on any single path, but
for full blossoming and fulfillment an integrated approach is essential.

Paths of yoga find its references in the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna
speaks about various ways to achieve the ultimate. Swami Vivekananda has
also broadly spoken about these paths of Yoga.

These paths are:

1. Jnana Yoga: the path of Self transcending knowledge

2. Bhakti Yoga: the path of devotion

3. Karma Yoga: the path of Selfless action

4. Raja Yoga/ Dhyana Yoga: the path of effortlessness

JNANA YOGA – The Path of Knowledge

What is Jnana Yoga?

The meaning of the Sanskrit word Jnana is knowledge. Jnana deals with
the enquiry into the nature of reality. Jnana Yoga is not just the study of the
existence or scriptures but also a deep experiential understanding of one’s
own self.

Adi Shankaracharya has said that bondage is caused by asking the wrong
questions, liberation can be achieved only by asking the right questions. The
real Jnana Yoga happens when the knowledge is received from the Guru, as
the Guru is already established in the knowledge. That’s why the scriptures
say, Yoga should always be practiced under a Guru.

There are three aspects in the practice of Jnana Yoga.

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Shravana –

The Sanskrit word shravana means ‘to listen’. It is the first step towards
integrating knowledge into our life. Shravana is listening with utmost interest,
or absorbing the words of a Guru, or the scriptures.

Manana –

Manana means pondering over, contemplating, repeatedly reflecting

over the knowledge heard. Contemplating on this knowledge removes doubts
and helps one understand the subtleties of this knowledge.

Nididhyāsa –

Nidhidhyasa is the culmination of the first two, where realization of the

insights leads to a direct experience of the truth. Nididhyasa is when the
knowledge becomes your own; when the knowledge becomes a part of you.

As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji says,

“First listen, then contemplate on it and make it your experience”.

KARMA YOGA – The Path of Action

Karma Yoga is the path of selfless service; putting in one’s best without
being attached to the outcome. When an action is performed selflessly, with
full focus and attention, it brings fulfillment and freedom.

Letting the “fruit of the action” not be the motive to perform the action,
it keeps one free from the deep impressions sub consciousness and can lead to
union with one’s own nature which is peace and love.

Karma can be of two types. The two types are

1. Sakama Karma: The word ‘Kama’ means desire. When an action is

performed with an expectation of receiving a certain result (Karmaphala), it is
called Sakama Karma.

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2. Nishkama Karma: An action that is performed without expecting fruits of
the action. In the Gita Krishna says, ‘Perfom your duty being detached to the
fruits of the action either successful or unsuccessful’. He also says ‘go beyond
the opposites of pain and pleasure, and perform the duty’. This skill is yoga.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji says “When you make service your sole
purpose, it eliminates fear, focuses your mind and gives you meaning.”
All the three paths are closely linked. Knowledge (Jnana) kindles Bhakti
(Devotion) and Bhakti leads one to serve selflessly. For full blossoming and
fulfillment all the three paths of Yoga are essential.

BHAKTI YOGA – The Path of Devotion

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion. Living in a space of love towards the
Divine or Master or any higher power is Bhakti.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji says that when the water flows outside its
banks, it is a flood. But when the water flows within its banks it is a river. When
your emotions get flooded everywhere, the mind is in a mess. But when the
emotions flow intensely in one direction, that is bhakti.

Divine love is unconditional. Nature loves us all equally, nature gives us

so much and takes care of us. Recognizing this love and reflecting it back to the
Divine is devotion. The blossoming of this devotion towards divinity, towards
creation is a beautiful experience. That is why Bhakti Yoga is known to be the
sweetest path of Yoga. In devotion, a yogi sees divinity everywhere, in
everything and recognizes love as one’s very own nature.
A Guru helps one to awaken this bhakti in oneself, leading to freedom from
sufferings.

Ved Vyasa talks about 9 ways of expressing bhakti towards the Divine.

Nava Vidha Bhakti

1. Shravanam – Hearing the names and glories of the Divine

2. Keertanam – Chanting the praises of the Divine
3. Smaranam – Remembering the Divine
4. Paada sevanam – Serving at the Divine’s lotus feet
5. Archanam – Offering and worshiping the deity
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6. Vandanam – Praying
7. Daasyam – Serving/Executing the will of the Lord
8. Sakhyam – Loving the lord as a friend
9. Aatma nivedanam – Complete surrender

Many great saints/kings attained nirvana (liberation) by following one or more

of these practices/expression towards the lord.

King Parikshit attained salvation by hearing the Srimad Bhagvatam in the last 7
days of his life.

Sukhadev Goswami attained to the truth by simply narrating the Srimad

Bhagvadam to King Parikshit.

King Prahlada attained salvation by just remembering the lord.

Hanumana attained salvation by rendering service to the lord.

Arjuna established friendship with the lord.

King Bali offered everything (even his spiritual growth) he had in service of the
lord, attaining salvation.

RAJA YOGA – The Royal Path

Raja Yoga means the royal path, the path of mental discipline.

After putting effort and letting go one reaches a state of effortlessness.

Emphasis in Raja Yoga is on effortless meditation, a state of Samadhi.

The Eight- fold path of Yoga or the Asthanga Yoga enunciated by

Maharishi Patanjali in his Yogasutras went on to be called, in the modern
times, as Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. These eight limbed approaches
(Ashtanga Yoga) leads to the well-being and purification of body, mind and
soul.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji emphasizes on effortless meditation to

experience higher states of consciousness.
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